Aflatoxin removal from pistachio nuts by natural natrolite

Natrolite was used to explore a physical and safe method to decontaminate aflatoxin-containing pistachio lots. Pistachio nuts with low, medium, and high levels of aflatoxin were subjected to a washing process with a slurry of 5% natrolite. Using thin-layer chromatography and scanning, the aflatoxin contents of the samples were measured. Aflatoxins B-1 and B-2 were found in pistachio nuts. The majority of total aflatoxins was aflatoxin B-1. Natrolite treatment resulted in a 38% to 100% reduction in aflatoxin B,, depending on the initial aflatoxin level. Although natrolite was demonstrated to be an effective candidate to reduce aflatoxin B-1, its efficacy against aflatoxin B-2 was limited.