Aflatoxin Contamination in Food and Decontamination Methods

In these study samples of dried fruits, nuts, cereals and beans were analyzed for total AFs by high pressure liquid chromatography. Decontamination by different methods was also conducted. Biological and physical methods were evaluated to decontaminate the mycotoxin (aflatoxins) contaminated agricultural commodities, to prevent the threat to human health and the risk of great economic loss. In biological decontamination, some materials such as chemicals, herbal compounds/spices and plants were showed the inhibitory effect on the growth of Aspergillus flavus / Aspergillus parasiticus and total aflatoxins production. Thus some herbal compounds/spices and some chemicals as preservatives may successfully replace synthetic pesticides and provide an alternative method to protect our staple food from the toxic fungal contamination. In physical decontamination, application of oven heating and washing shows reduction in contamination level of AFB1 in different wheat varieties. Moreover, the cooking of rice in an excess of water showed maximum reduction on the levels of AFB1 and OTA in contaminated basmati rice samples than normal cooking and microwave oven cooking.