Detoxification of aflatoxin contaminated corn by methanol extraction.

Corn containing 500 ppb aflatoxin was decontaminated by methanolic extraction. Ninety percent of the aflatoxin was removed in one three-minute blending with a solvent to corn ratio of 4:1. Recycling methanol for additional extractions could be done by removal of aflatoxin by carbon or distillation of the methanol. Methanol costs per bushel of corn without recycling would probably be expensive. By recycling, the cost is estimated to be ten to twenty cents per bushel in a laboratory size experiment. A source of ethanol on the farm could make the process more feasible. Chicks fed decontaminated corn showed no signs of aflatoxin toxicity. Fatty degenerated livers were produced in chicks fed the nondetoxified corn. Other mycotoxins which are not affected by the ammoniation process used to decontaminate corn, can be removed by this process.