Method and apparatus for reducing aflatoxin-contaminated corn

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for separating and removing aflatoxin-contaminated corn from batches of corn by a floating process, thus producing a distinguishable floating mat of contaminated corn and a separate submerged bed of uncontaminated and less contaminated corn. The methods of this disclosure include removing the floating contaminated corn mat by a vacuum mechanism or by liquid flow. The methods reduce the aflatoxin level in the submerged corn bed as much as 80% from the initial aflatoxin level, while removing no more than 15% from the batch of corn.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 61 / 713,149, filed October 12, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Background technique [0003] The present disclosure relates to methods of separating mycotoxin-contaminated corn kernels from non-contaminated corn kernels. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to separating aflatoxin-contaminated corn kernels from non-contaminated corn kernels. [0004] Mycotoxins are a broad range of toxic substances produced by the growth of fungi on food. Aflatoxins are a class of mycotoxins produced by the action of fungi, most commonly produced by members of the Aspergillus section Flavi on grains, seeds, kernels or nuts. Aflatoxins can affect grains such as corn and hops, oilseeds such as cottonseed, soybeans, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachio, and the like. [0005] There are required li...

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Also, sampling variation can cause essentially good batches of product trials to be overrated and declared useless

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