Identification and detoxification of AFB1 transformation product in the peanut oil refining process.

Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) contamination in peanut oil is a serious food safety concern. Classical edible oil refining process is an effective approach to remove AFB 1. However, the transformation pathway, structure, and distribution of the transformation product of AFB 1 in edible oil refining have not yet been reported in detail. In this work, we demonstrated that the degumming and deacidification were the critical phases for AFB 1 removal from crude oil, in which 4.77% and 7.32% of AFB 1 were transferred into the colloidal impurities and soap stock, and 87.91% of AFB 1 was transformed to other compound. UPLC-Q-TOF MS and NMR analysis revealed that the AFB 1 transformation product in peanut oil refining resulted from the hydrolysis of the lactone ring of AFB 1. The lactone ring opened AFB 1 (named OP-AFB 1) in the soap stock can be converted into the original AFB 1 under acidic conditions. Thus, the OP-AFB 1 in soap stock was further detoxified via the Fenton treatment. [Display omitted] • The transformation pathway, structure, and distribution of the AFB 1 transformation product during peanut oil refining were described. • The Fenton reaction was used to further detoxify AFB 1 transformation product. • The AFB 1 elimination in edible oil refining provides a powerful theoretical basis for the safety of refined edible oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]