The effects of bentonite and activated charcoal treatments on aflatoxin content (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) and physicochemical characteristics of hazelnut milk

Abstract

In this study, changes in aflatoxin profile and physicochemical properties of hazelnut milk treated with activated charcoal (AC) and bentonite (Na-B) at different adsorbent doses (AD; 6%, 9% and %12) and times (T; 30, 45, and 60 min) were investigated. The moisture content, Hunter L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) color values, free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), total phenolic content (TPC), total tocopherol (TT) and free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) of hazelnut milk samples were generally decreased by AC and Na-B treatments depending on the increasing AD and T, while an increase was observed in viscosity, pH, and oil content. AC and Na-B treatments reduced the total aflatoxin content (TAF) of hazelnut milk by 43.7% and 71.1%, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, 42.8% and 85.9% reductions in AFB(1) content of the samples were observed with AC and Na-B treatments, respectively. Na-B adsorbent was more effective than AC in reducing AFB(1), AFB(2), AFG(1), AFG(2) and TAF content of hazelnut milk under the same dose and exposure time conditions. For both adsorbent agents, 6% AD-60 min treatment can be recommended to reduce/minimize the aflatoxin content of hazelnut milk. In conclusion, the utilization of AC and Na-B as binding agents has a promising potential to minimize aflatoxin content in hazelnut milk and prevent economic losses in the hazelnut industry.