Validation and Application of a Low-Cost Sorting Device for Fumonisin Reduction in Maize.

ABSTRACT: Fumonisin mycotoxins are a persistent challenge to human and livestock health in tropical and sub-tropical maize cropping systems, and more efficient methods are needed to reduce their presence in food systems. We constructed a novel, low-cost device for sorting grain, the "DropSort", and tested its effectiveness on both plastic kernel models and fumonisin-contaminated maize. Sorting plastic kernels of known size and shape enabled us to optimize the sorting performance of the DropSort. The device sorted maize into three distinct fractions as measured by bulk density and 100-kernel weight. The level of fumonisin was lower in the heaviest fractions of maize compared to the unsorted samples. Based on correlations among fumonisin and bulk characteristics of each fraction, we found that light f

SUBMITTER: Stafstrom W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8473030 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature