Grain Processing Methods’ Effectiveness to Eliminate Mycotoxins: An Overview

Abstract

Mycotoxins like aflatoxins, ochratoxins, patulin, citrinin, deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins, trichothecenes, etc., produced by molds (Aspergillus avus, A. parasiticus, Penicillin spp, etc.) could occupy such grains as peanuts, millet, sunower, cassava, beans, sesame, sorghum, maize, etc. In order to either eliminate and or reduce the levels of mycotoxins, as well as detection limits, there are a number of grain processing techniques that have been reported in the literature. In this article, an overview of the effectiveness of grain processing methods to eliminate mycotoxins was performed. Specifically, the grain processing techniques considered include: extrusion, alkaline cooking, flaking, roasting, frying, baking, milling, cooking, cold plasma, cleaning, trimming, sorting, as well as chemical treatments like the use of sodium hydroxide, citric acid, sodium bisulfite and ammonia. Overall, while most methods seem effective in reducing some mycotoxins over others, more studies are required to identify how these methods particularly their combinations would elevate the removal/degradation of mycotoxins in grains, particularly to safer levels.