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Efficacy of Microwave-Heating during Alkaline Processing of Fumonisin-Contaminated Maize.
- Source :
- Iranian Journal of Public Health, Vol 43, Iss 2 (2014)
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 2014.
-
Abstract
- Fumonisins (a family of foodborne carcinogenic mycotoxins) cause health hazards to humans and animals in developing countries, and has also economic implications. Therefore, the efficacy of a novel environmental friendly nixtamalization procedure to make tortillas (the main staple food for the Mexican population) was investigated.Maize contaminated with 2136.67 ng/g total fumonisins was processed into tortillas, starting with maize grits mixed with water and calcium hydroxide that was cooked in a microwave field at 2.45 GHz during 3.75 min, and steeped 3.5 h at room temperature. The steeped maize grits (nixtamal) was stone-ground into masa (maize dough), which was then used to make tortillas. Total fumonisin content was determined using monoclonal antibody columns.Masa contained 1998.33 ng/g total fumonisins, which represents 6.5% toxin reduction. Nevertheless, fumonisin concentration was reduced significantly in tortillas (up to 985.33 ng/g) due to the cooking process, corresponding to a cumulative toxin degradation of 54%. Tortillas were below the maximum tolerated level, considering the European Union regulatory limit for fumonisins in maize (1000 ng/g). The physicochemical and technological properties of tortillas were also considered within the acceptable margins of quality.Microwave nixtamalization was not a feasible method to reduce fumonisin content in masa to acceptable levels; however, an effective extra-reduction occurred when masa was baking into tortillas.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 22516085 and 22516093
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Iranian Journal of Public Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.97dbbacf379c4db2b3ff660a4941542b
- Document Type :
- article