Effect of gamma radiation on the infected yellow corn and peanuts by a.flavus

ABSTRACT

Pure aflatoxins and deliberately infected yellow corn and peanuts with A. flavus were separately exposed to gamma radiation at 5, 10 and 20 KGy. The levels of pure aflatoxins were decreased by increasing the radiation dose. The pure aflatoxins G1 and B1 were the most radio- sensitive while B2 was the most radio-resistant than the other isomers. B1 and G1 toxins were completely destroyed at irradiation doses of 10 and 20 KGy, respectively. The reduction percentages of aflatoxins in the deliberately infected yellow corn and peanuts demonstrated that, the aflatoxins B2 and G2 were the most radio- sensitive than that of their analogy compounds [B1 and G1]. The toxicity index values for the infected yellow corn and peanuts were decreased by increasing the irradiation dose. The gamma-rays even at 20 KGy was not effective in destroying completely the toxins since only 83% reduction of aflatoxins was achieved