The Effect of Ozone Gas on Reducing of Aflatoxin B1 in Bulgur of Dent Corn (Zea mays var. indentata)

Aflatoxins are the secondary toxic metabolites of some fungi. Aflatoxins, especially aflatoxin B1, are highly toxic and may cause serious risks to human and animal health. In this study, the effects of ozonation processes on aflatoxin content of corn bulgur were investigated.

In this investigation, corn bulgur was inoculated with Aspergillus flavus (2 × 107 CFU/ ml), was subjected to ozonation process at the concentrations of 7 and 9 mg/ L for 120 and 180 minutes. The effect of ozonation process on aflatoxins B1 values was investigated. HPLC apparatus was employed as a mean to determines aflatoxin qualitatively and quantity.

The results showed that the ozonation process reduced aflatoxins B1, and in all treatments (except control) was lower than the permissible limit defined by the national standard of Iran (5 ppb). Decrease of aflatoxin was influenced by the concentration and time of exposure to ozone, and the lowest level of aflatoxin B1 observed in ozonated corn bulgur at the concentration of 9 mg/ L for 180 minutes (p < 0.05). In relation to other aflatoxins (B2, G1 and G2), ozonation reduced the concentration significantly quall the highest concentration was detected in control (P <0.05). Overall, although other aflatoxins were affected by ozone, their depletion was modest, and this effect did not follow a regular pattern.

According to the results, ozonation an effective, fast, and safe method to reduce aflatoxin B1 in corn bulgur.