Aflatoxins and ochratoxin a reduction in black and white pepper by gamma radiation

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 81; no. 11; pp. 1786 - 1788
• Main Authors: Jalili, M., Jinap, S., Noranizan, M.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2012
• Subjects: Aflatoxin; Aflatoxins; Decontamination; Gamma radiation; Gamma rays; Moisture content; Mycotoxins; Ochratoxin A; Pepper; Peppers; Reduction; Gamma radiation; Pepper; Ochratoxin A; Aflatoxin
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2012.06.001

Irradiation is an important means of decontamination of food commodities, especially spices. The aim of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of gamma radiation (60Co) for decontaminating ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) residues in artificially contaminated black and white pepper samples. The moisture content of the pepper samples was set at 12% or 18%, and the applied gamma dose ranged from 5 to 30kGy. Mycotoxin levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after immunoaffinity column (IAC) chromatography. Both the gamma irradiation dose and moisture content showed significant effects (P<0.05) on mycotoxin reduction. The maximum toxin reductions, found at 18% moisture content and 30kGy, were 55.2%, 50.6%, 39.2%, 47.7% and 42.9% for OTA, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2, respectively.
► The effect of gamma ray on the reduction of AFs and OTA in pepper was investigated. ► The gamma dose and moisture showed significant effects on mycotoxin reduction. ► The maximum reduction was found at 18% moisture content and 30kGy gamma ray. ► The method, even at 30kGy and 18% moisture, failed to destroy total of mycotoxins.