Aflatoxins in agriculture? More contamination

The problem of Aflatoxins in agriculture improves, but not as much as expected.

259 maize samples, 36 storage centers and in 11% of cases an aflatoxins contamination greater than 20 Ppb per Kg.

Encouraging data compared to the years 2012-2015 but still not as positive as we would like.

The attentiontowards this topic and the increased awareness, however, means that much is being done both in terms of information and prevention.

So let’s list some “good habits” to try to fight them!

Aflatoxins in Agriculture – Best Practices

• Choose the right time for the harvest (humidity percentage not lower than 22%)
• Choose axial flow combines (to reduce grain breakage)
• Perfectly cleaned, swept and blown trailer trucks
• Transport to the drying center in a very short time (to block molds)
• Thorough cleaning of the corn (the grain must be cleaned of all impurities, everything that is not corn)
• Adequate, ventilated storage centers with basal spaces, machines that cool the air, enclosed spaces protected from weeds
• Grain always monitored by thermometric probes from the moment it is stored in order to act preventively
• Collection of samples every 20 or 30 days maximum

What if aflatoxins develop anyway?
There are methods to bring the levels below the legal limits, but they are very expensive procedures, and it is for this reason that it is necessary to fight for a preventive and non-curative mentality to develop and spread more and more.