Role of sodium hydrosulphite and pressure on the reduction of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in black pepper

The aim of this study was to assay a chemical method for the reduction of aflatoxins B-1 (AFB(1)), B-2 (AFB(2)), G(1) (AFG(1)), G(2) (AFG(2)) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in black pepper. The efficiency of AF and OTA reduction by sodium hydrosulphite (Na2S2O4) at different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2%) in artificially contaminated black pepper was investigated under atmospheric and high pressure. The first treatment was performed under atmospheric pressure in boiling water at 100 degrees C for 30 min, and the second treatment was performed under high pressure (1.5 bar) at 121 degrees C for 15 s. The concentrations of the AFs and OTA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using fluorescence detection (FD). Maximal respective reductions of 96.0%, 96.1%, 77.7%, 100% and 100% for OTA, AFB(1), AFB(2), AFG(1) and AFG(2), respectively, were achieved by treatment with 2% Na2S2O4 under high pressure. These findings suggest that AFs and OTA can be degraded by treatment with Na2S2O4 and heat under pressure. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.