Agricultural Research Service

July 21, 2000

This invention is a method to produce a simple, efficient, safe, less costly formulation that controls aflatoxin in peanuts and other crops. Aflatoxin, caused by toxic strains of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, is a known carcinogen regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ARS' formulation uses nontoxic strains of the fungus that are naturally present in the soil, reducing the risk of peanut contamination. The formulation, which includes a seed, like barely, coated with the nontoxic strain, is sprinkled onto the peanut crop 60-70 days after planting. A grower can use the same equipment used to apply fertilizers or granular materials to innoculate the field. This method would allow manufacturers to produce tons of the formulation per hour without any special sterilization or drying that is typically required with traditional methods, which takes a couple of days to produce.

Market peanuts are visually and chemically inspected for aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts cause the U.S. southeast peanut industry on average $26 million a year in control costs and losses. Industry standards are very strict for aflatoxin contamination levels, with only 15 parts per billion (ppb) allowable in peanuts destined for human consumption. If one contaminated peanut is found, or if chemical analysis detects aflatoxin above 15 ppb, the peanuts must be crushed for oil or blanched to reduce aflatoxin levels below 15 ppb at the grower's or sheller's expense.

Joe W. Dorner National Peanut Research Laboratory Dawson, GA 31742 (912) 995-7408 / Fax: (912) 995-7416 Email: jdorner@nprl.usda.gov

Richard J. Cole (retired)

This invention is a method to produce a simple, efficient, safe, less costly formulation that controls aflatoxin in peanuts and other crops. Aflatoxin, caused by toxic strains of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, is a known carcinogen regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ARS’ formulation uses nontoxic strains of the fungus that are naturally present in the soil, reducing the risk of peanut contamination. The formulation, which includes a seed, like barley, coated with the nontoxic strain, is sprinkled onto the peanut crop 60-70 days after planting. A grower can use the same equipment used to apply fertilizers or granular materials to innoculate the field. This method would allow manufacturers to produce tons of the formulation per hour without any special sterilization or drying that is typically required with traditional methods, which takes a couple of days to produce.

Market peanuts are visually and chemically inspected for aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts cause the U.S. southeast peanut industry on average $26 million a year in control costs and losses. Industry standards are very strict for aflatoxin contamination levels with only 15 parts per billion (ppb) allowable in peanuts destined for human consumption. If one contaminated peanut is found, or if chemical analysis detects aflatoxin above 15 ppb, the peanuts must be crushed for oil or blanched to reduce aflatoxin levels below 15 ppb at the grower or shellers expense.

Please refer to Patent Number 6,306,386, "Biological Control Formulations Containing Spores of Non-Toxigenic Strains of Fungi for Toxin Control of Food Crops," which issued October 23, 2001.

Inventors:

Joe W. Dorner National Peanut Research Laboratory Dawson, GA 31742 (912) 995-7408 / Fax: (912) 995-7416 jdorner@nprl.usda.gov

Richard J. Cole (retired)