Destruction of Aflatoxins in Contaminated Maize Samples using Ammoniation Procedures

Abstract

Because of widespread occurrence of aflatoxins and the potential hazards associated with consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated foodstuffs, a study was undertaken to determine how best to destroy aflatoxin in contaminated maize samples. Strains of Aspergillus parasiticus were used to contaminate maize to produce 1000 µg/kg of contaminated test sample. Ammoniation procedure in different concentrations of ammonia was adopted for aflatoxin destruction. Aflatoxin concentrations were determined by HPLC using fluorescence detection. The results obtained showed a proportional increase in aflatoxin destruction with the increase of ammonia concentrations. This study therefore established that ammoniation treatment under high pressure and at high ammonia concentration is more destructive to aflatoxins than treatment under atmospheric or low pressure. Ammoniation procedures may be considered suitable for large scale destruction of aflatoxins that contaminate foodstuffs stored in warm moist places.