Reducing the level of mycotoxins in corn by removal of fines

Mycotoxins are highly toxic compounds produced by molds that commonly occur in cereal grains. These toxins can have adverse effects on human and animal health. Mycotoxin decontamination procedures can be divided into three different groups: chemical, biological and physical. Procedures from the first two groups are often regarded as unacceptable for lowering the mycotoxin level. A laboratory brush was developed for the purpose of physical cleaning of corn kernel. Three samples of commercially available corn kernels were subjected to the brushing procedure in order for the experimental study to be conducted. The mass of 100g of corn kernels was placed on motionless screen of the brush. A rotating part of the experimental device, the polypropylene bristle brush was set to higher speed (higher than 800 rpm). During the corn brushing, dust and broken kernels were brushed out through the motionless screen. Corn samples were taken before and after the brushing procedure and they were analyzed for aflatoxin concentration by HPLC-UV RED. By comparing the control and brushed samples, it can be noticed that removal of fines caused the reduction in the level of mycotoxins in all three brushed samples