Irradiation method

Dear Samuel, the most efficient mycotoxin reduction method for rural areas is simple sorting. removing moldy kernels from corn can lower the exposure to aflatoxins by more than 90%. Sarah DeSaeger published work on this in Food Additives and Contaminants: Article Effectiveness of hand sorting, flotation/washing, dehulling ...

Other techniques such as Irradiation have been studied in model system but so far failed to show success in real life application. Alternative treatments are the application of alkaline solutions, called nixtamalization, as traditionally done with maize in South America. This especially impacts fumonisins (produces hydrolyzed fumonisins) but also zearalenone and deoxynivalenol.

Best regards,

Benedikt

Dear Dr. Benedikt Cramer

According to reply, how to apply the alkaline solutions on peanuts for reduction aflatoxin?

In terms of reduction and decontamination of mycotoxins on agro-produce, no single method is the most effective especially in low-input agriculture; rather approach should be integrated.

*Avoid harvesting in wet weather,

*Avoid or minimize grain breaking during threshing,

*Dry grains on clean platforms to moisture content of 12-13%,

*Store grains only in clean, dry and insect-free warehouses,

*Avoid moisture migration into the store through leaking roofs,

*Encourage light and air circulation around the grains.

*Ensure that grain lots should be sprayed with tree tea oil or neem oil or dust the grains with their leaf powders.

These will discourage mycotoxigenic fungi from infection of the grain lot and subsequent contamination with mycotoxins.

Please refer to the article Mycotoxins in stored agricultural produce: implications to food safety and health and plant- derived pesticides as novel approach to their management by Enyiukwu et al (2914). It highlights several plant materials and plant extracts that had been used for control of mycotoxins in Nigeria, Lome and other parts of Africa. Thank you