Methods of reducing aflatoxin in nuts

Abstract

The disclosure provides a method of reducing aflatoxin contamination in one or more nuts and/or reducing the amount of Aspergillus flavus and/or Aspergillus parasiticus resulting in the presence of aflatoxin contamination in one or more nuts. In an embodiment, nuts are treated with ultraviolet (UV) light, ozone, and peroxide, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, nuts are treated with UV light and ozone. In an embodiment, nuts are treated with UV light and peroxide. In an embodiment, nuts are treated with ozone and peroxide. In an embodiment, nuts are treated with ultraviolet (UV) light, ozone, and peroxide, wherein the nuts have been blanched. In an embodiment, nuts are blanched and then contacted with ozone (O3), peroxide, and ultraviolet (UV) light, optionally wherein the UV light is UV-A light. In an embodiment, nuts are blanched, peeled, and then contacted with ozone (O3), peroxide, and ultraviolet (UV) light. In an embodiment, nuts are blanched, peeled, and then contacted with ozone (O3), peroxide, then contacted with ultraviolet (UV) light and peroxide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.