Local Nixtamalization Processes Reduce Aflatoxin B1 Concentration and Shift Metabolome in Naturally Contaminated Maize
Hannah Glesener·Lee E. Voth‐Gaeddert·Haadia Tanveer·Darya Abdollahzadeh·Emeline Seegmiller·Blake Su·Christopher Muse·Gabriela Montenegro-Bethencourt·Mark Weaver·Alexander A. Aksenov·Rosa Krajmalnik‐Brown·Andrew M.P. Roberts
Nixtamalization is an alkaline cooking process known to lower aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in maize, yet reported efficacy varies (28-100% reduction). Thus, existing data are not sufficient to inform nixtamalization practices in specific local contexts. To investigate this, we conducted a controlled lab study using AFB1-contaminated Guatemalan maize to evaluate the effect of current rural Guatemalan cooking practices on the AFB1 concentration. We evaluated nine conditions varying calcium hydroxide concen