Chemical Detoxification of Aflatoxin‐containing Copra

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aflatoxin‐containing copra at moisture contents of 24% and 7% was effectively detoxified by ammonium hydroxide (> 97% and 89% reduction, respectively). Detoxification was accomplished in 5 days using 1.5% ammonium hydroxide (ammonia/copra); in 10 days using 1.0% and in 15 days using 0.5%. The initial aflatoxin B 1 concentration of 500 ppb (9% moisture) was reduced to ≤ 20 ppb. Detoxification trials using a screw expeller showed 67% reduction in aflatoxin content of the oil with 1.0% ammonia.