Bisulfite is a highly reactive chemical that is commonly used in some foods and beverages because of its ability to inhibit both enzymatic and nonenzymatic browning, to inhibit growth of many microorganisms, and to act as an antioxidant and a reducing agent. Bisulfite has also been tested for its ability to degrade aflatoxin. Sodium bisulfite [...]

Several studies have shown that alkali treatment, using inorganic or organic bases, is an effective and economically feasible method of degrading aflatoxins. Alkalis cause the hydrolysis of the lactone ring in AFB; however, evidence suggests that the hydrolyzed lactone ring can close again under acidic conditions and regenerate back to AFB. Alkaline treatments have been [...]

Strong acids convert aflatoxin to its hemiacetal form through hydration. Pons et al. studied acid conversion of AFB and AFG to AFB and AFG respectively, forms that are much less toxic. They found that the rate of conversion increased as the pH decreased or the temperature increased. It was also observed that AFB and AFG [...]