Detoxification and safety evaluation of aflatoxin B1 in peanut oil using alkali refining

BACKGROUNDAflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) is often detected in peanut oil, which comes from contaminated peanuts. AFB(1) in peanut oil seriously threatens the health of consumers. However, there are few methods to effectively remove AFB(1) in peanut oil. This study aimed to use an alkali-refining method to degrade AFB(1) in peanut oil efficiently without increasing the equipment of oil and fat refining. RESULTSThe optimum detoxifying conditions of AFB(1) in peanut oil with alkali refining were established using response surface methodology (RSM), and the safety of peanut oil after being refined with alkali was evaluated based on the Ames tests and HepG2 cell viability. The results showed that AFB(1) in peanut oil was decreased from 34.78 to 0.37 mu gkg(-1) (98.94% reduction) under the optimum detoxifying conditions, i.e. when the initial temperature of alkali refining was 43.51 degrees C, the amount of excess alkali was 0.30%, the content of alkali solution was 23.42% and the end temperature of alkali refining was 77.07 degrees C. The acid value and color of peanut oil refined by alkali were improved significantly, while the peroxide value was increased within an acceptable level. The safety of peanut oil contaminated by AFB(1) was improved significantly after being refined with alkali. CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that alkali refining is an effective method for removing AFB(1) in peanut oil. The optimum detoxifying conditions of AFB(1) in peanut oil with alkali refining could be used to guide the production of oil companies for ensuring food safety. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry