THE POTENTIAL OF NATURAL ALKALINE SOURCES IN THE DETOXIFICATION OF AFLATOXIN-CONTAMINATED GROUNDNUT AND MAIZE

Abstract

Groundnut and maize are part of staple crops consumed mostly in Ghana but gets contaminated easily by aflatoxin. Consumption of aflatoxin contaminated food causes several adverse health effects including liver cancer. Several detoxification methods and techniques have been employed to reduce aflatoxin levels in groundnut but these have not been fully effective. The study was carried out to assess the potential of saltpetre, whitewash and wood ash in detoxifying aflatoxin-contaminated groundnut and maize. Two separate experiments were carried out in this study. The first experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with the concentrations of 0%, 1%, 5%, and 10% (w/v) and soaking time of 12 h, 18 h, and 24 h. The second experiment was factorial in a completely randomized design with the concentrations of 0%, 1%, 5%, and 10% (w/v), cooking times of 5, 10, 15 minute, and steeping time of 0 h, 6 h, 12 h. All experiments were replicated three times. Total aflatoxin level was determined using Rapid Test Kit for a Quantitative Test with Mobile Diagnostic Reader (Mobile Assay Inc., Boulder, CO). Alkaline concentration and soaking time significantly (p = 0.002) affected aflatoxin levels in both maize and groundnut. The result revealed that 5% saltpetre solution could reduce aflatoxin level by 89% in groundnut and 90% in maize while wood ash solution resulted in 28% total aflatoxin reduction in groundnut. In maize however, whitewash and wood ash solutions were able to cause a total aflatoxin reduction of 94% and 91% respectively. Consumer sensory analysis carried on the final product resulted in the overall acceptability of texture, colour, taste and aroma by the consumers. Saltpetre (5%, 10% (w/v)) was able to detoxify aflatoxin and maintained the proximate and sensorial quality in groundnutsuggesting its potential to be used as aflatoxin decontamination agent in groundnuts. It is recommended that further assessment of the effects of the natural lime on nutrient bioavailability and toxicity in humans should be carried out.