Application of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) as desiccants to dry maize and reduce aflatoxin contamination
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Date
2016-08
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
The ability of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in drying maize and controlling aflatoxin contamination was studied under different temperatures, drying times and SAP-to-maize ratios. Temperature and drying time showed significant influence on the aflatoxin formation. SAP-to-maize ratios between 1:1 and 1:5 showed little or no aflatoxin contamination after drying to the optimal moisture content (MC) of 13 %, while for ratios 1:10 and 1:20, aflatoxin contamination was not well controlled due to the overall higher MC and drying time, which made these ratios unsuitable for the drying process. Results clearly show that temperature, frequency of SAP change, drying time and SAP-to-maize ratio influenced the drying rate and aflatoxin contamination. Furthermore, it was shown that SAP had good potential for grain drying and can be used iteratively, which can make this system an optimal solution to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize, particular for developing countries and resource-lacking areas.
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published
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Book title
Journal / series
Volume
53 (8)
Pages / Article No.
3157 - 3165
Publisher
Springer
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Aflatoxin; Hydrogel; Maize; Postharvest; Superabsorbent polymers; Water sorption
Organisational unit
03857 - Mezzenga, Raffaele / Mezzenga, Raffaele
Notes
It was possible to publish this article open access thanks to a Swiss National Licence with the publisher.