POSSIBLE REACTIONS FOR AFLATOXIN DETOXIFICATION

The reactions of the 4 aflatoxins with a series of selected reagents were observed for possible usefulness in detoxification procedures. Loss of fluorescence and/or change of Rf on TLC [thin layer chroma-tography] were the principal reaction indicators. Chick embryo and tissue culture bioassays were used to provide evidence of detoxifica-tion. The reactions appear to be primarily addition and oxidation in-volving the olefinic double bond of the terminal furan ring and oxida-tion involving the phenol formed an opening of the lactone ring. Ben-zoyl peroxide, osmium tetroxide, and I[long dash]/I2 react with aflatoxins B1 and G1, but not with B2 and G2. Ce(NH4)2(SO4)3, NaOC1, KMnO4, NaBO3 and 3% H2O2 + Na BO2 (1 + 1) react with all four aflatoxins. Detoxification, after contact with gaseous chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide and after treatment with 5% NaOCl solution, was confirmed by bioassay.