Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Plant Science
A device that combines ozone with tiny bubbles removed 77.93% to 88.56% of four major aflatoxins from peanut byproduct under optimized conditions. The researchers also reported that the system remained effective through 12 reuse cycles and that toxicity tests supported the safety of the resulting products.
A study of 712 women and children in rural Bangladesh found widespread blood evidence of exposure to several mold-made food toxins. Estimated intake of ochratoxin A exceeded health-based guidance values for up to 80% of women and 99% of children.
Researchers found that the feed toxin deoxynivalenol, or DON, selectively disrupted gut fungi in piglets while leaving bacterial diversity intact. The changes were linked to altered microbial activity, lower butyrate and reduced total short-chain fatty acids in the colon.
Irradiating contaminated peanuts with gamma rays or an electron beam reduced aflatoxin B1 and microbial contamination. But at higher doses—especially 10 kGy—the treated peanuts showed signs of lipid oxidation and color changes, suggesting a tradeoff between safety and quality.
