title: Application of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) as desiccants to dry maize and reduce aflatoxin contamination.
abstract: The ability of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in drying maize and controlling aflatoxin contamination was studied under different temperatures, drying times and SAP-to-maize ratios. Temperature and drying time showed significant influence on the aflatoxin formation. SAP-to-maize ratios between 1:1 and 1:5 showed little or no aflatoxin contamination after drying to the optimal moisture content (MC) of 13 %, while for ratios 1:10 and 1:20, aflatoxin contamination was not well controlled due to the overall higher MC and drying time, which made these ratios unsuitable for the drying process. Results clearly show that temperature, frequency of SAP change, drying time and SAP-to-maize ratio influenced the drying rate and aflatoxin contamination. Furthermore, it was shown that SAP had good potential for grain drying and can be used iteratively, which can make this system an optimal solution to reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize, particular for developing countries and resource-lacking areas.
authors: University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Duncan O
authors: DO
authors: Mbuge
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: Negrini
authors: University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Livine O
authors: LO
authors: Nyakundi
authors: International Centre for Insect Physiology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.|New Roots Herbal Inc., Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC Canada.
authors: Serge P
authors: SP
authors: Kuate
authors: International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors: Ranajit
authors: R
authors: Bandyopadhyay
authors: University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: William M
authors: WM
authors: Muiru
authors: International Centre for Insect Physiology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.
authors: Baldwyn
authors: B
authors: Torto
authors: Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Mezzenga
keywords: Aflatoxin; Hydrogel; Maize; Postharvest; Superabsorbent polymers; Water sorption