Prevention of aflatoxin contamination in stored grains using chemical strategies

The aflatoxins, specially aflatoxin B-1, are considered the most carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic substances naturally found in foods and feeds. Fungi, insects and aflatoxins may be serious problems in storage systems for grains when conditions are predisposing. Fungicides and insecticides such as food grade antioxidants and natural phytochemicals may be used to prevent the entry of xenobiotics in the food chain. The use of synthetic phenolic compounds such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) against Aspergillus Section Flavi and insect vectors showed fungicidal and insecticidal effects when used in assays with maize and peanut. Microencapsulation of BHA and BHT is a technology developed to protect these additives from different adverse factors from storage ecosystems. The microencapsulation method not only preserved the antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and insecticidal efficacy of antioxidants, but also extended these effects over time.