Abstract
This paper examines the prevention of the exponential growth of aflatoxin occurring in multi-month, postharvest storage in tropical countries, with examples from field experience and scientific data. Four approaches to modern, safe, postharvest storage methods are described, the most successful being the use of flexible, UltraHermetic™ airtight structures that create an unbreatheable atmosphere (low oxygen, high carbon dioxide) through insect and microorganism respiration alone, without use of chemicals, fumigants, vacuum, or refrigeration.The increase in aflatoxin levels during multi-month, postharvest storage is a serious health hazard affecting several major crops. During postharvest crop storage by conventional methods in tropical conditions, molds existing within crops can produce aflatoxin levels many times greater than at harvest, often vastly exceeding the international safety standards of 20 ppb (parts per billion). For example, field data from Mali documents that during just two months of conventional peanut storage, average aflatoxin levels rose 200%. In Uganda, aflatoxin levels in conventionally stored maize rose 300% in three months. By contrast, laboratory and field data from Mali and Uganda show that the organically modified atmosphere created using various forms of sufficiently hermetic (airtight) storage containers (ranging from 25kg to 1000-tonne capacity) prevents the exponential growth of aflatoxin-producing molds in various grains, peanuts, and seeds.
Highlights
The increase in aflatoxin levels during multi-month, postharvest storage is a serious health hazard affecting several major crops
Dr Williams of the University of Georgia, USA, describes aflatoxins as follows: ―Aflatoxin (AF) is a toxin produced by fungi acting on staple crops that constitute a large part of the diet of people living in developing countries
Other methods include the use of carbon dioxide plus potassium sorbate and the use of sulphur oxide.‖ Lunven noted another process that had received some attention, namely the use of calcium hydroxide, a chemical used for lime cooking of maize: ―Studies have shown a significant reduction in aflatoxin levels, the extent of reduction is related to the initial levels
Summary
Dr Williams of the University of Georgia, USA, describes aflatoxins as follows: ―Aflatoxin (AF) is a toxin produced by fungi acting on staple crops (like maize, rice, cassava and peanuts) that constitute a large part of the diet of people living in developing countries For these people, there is little management of food quality and they are at risk of uncontrolled exposure to AF. It shows that restricting the increase in aflatoxin levels during both drying and long-term storage is a major challenge, in hot and humid conditions. One very costly approach is refrigeration or air conditioning, which can inhibit significant growth of aflatoxins by keeping down both humidity and temperature levels It has been used successfully in some countries, including in Japan for storing rice. Ozone is not compatible with storage in many plastics, including PVC
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