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Decontamination of aflatoxin‐contaminated maize by dehulling
Author(s) -
Siwela Andrew H,
Siwela Mthulisi,
Matindi Gibson,
Dube Shadreck,
Nziramasanga Nozipho
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2288
Subject(s) - aflatoxin , human decontamination , contamination , corn meal , moisture , food science , mycotoxin , meal , agronomy , mathematics , chemistry , biology , waste management , ecology , organic chemistry , engineering
Dehulling of maize grains as an aflatoxin decontamination method was investigated. Sixty kilograms of maize (whose average moisture content was 110 g kg −1 ) were thoroughly mixed and divided into two samples. The kernel moisture content of one sample was adjusted to 200 g kg −1 while the other (control) was left at 110 g kg −1 . The two samples were kept at ambient temperature (25–30 °C) for 21 days. Twenty sub‐samples, ten from each, were further divided into two so that one lot was dehulled while the other was not dehulled. These sub‐samples were then milled to pass through a 1 mm screen and the meal was evaluated for aflatoxin contamination. It was found that there was a 92% decrease in aflatoxin levels in dehulled maize meal compared with undehulled maize meal. We therefore suggest that dehulling the grain can be used to reduce aflatoxin levels in maize. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry