Detox Aflatoxin Sorter : A Unique Technology For Unique Results
BEST introduces the Detox aflatoxin laser sorter designed to provide significant reductions in aflatoxin levels on a wide range of crop plants. The Detox sorter uses a new optical laser technology able to detect and reject aflatoxin contaminated products at a normal processing flow. Combined with the proven and patented BEST Free-Fall technology it guarantees an absolute minimum of yield loss.
A poisonous problem
AFLATOXIN, an acronym formed from Aspergillus Flavus Toxin, is the generic name for several related metabolites (mycotoxins) produced by the mold Aspergillus Flavus on a wide range of nuts (peanuts, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts…), grains, and dried fruit (figs, raisins, …) - and feeds. Aflatoxin is proven scientifically to be among the most carcinogenic substances known and causes serious diseases and health problems.
Most countries have adopted strict regulations to limit exposure to aflatoxin which has a strong impact on the world food trade. Before entering the country entire consignments can be rejected or even destroyed.
No longer invisible
The difficulty remains in the detection of aflatoxin contamination since it is invisible to the human eye, which leads sampling tests to unreliable results. Products can be inspected under black light, a short-wave ultraviolet light, where the fungus may fluoresce. But less than half of the samples fluorescing under a black light had detectable levels of aflatoxin present. Even more, brightly fluorescing samples may contain less aflatoxin than weakly fluorescing samples. The need for finding a method which correctly identifies aflatoxin contaminated products with minimum spending time and money still exists.
As part of a government funded project, the BEST R&D department has been collaborating with the VUB, the University of Brussels. After several years they succeeded in developing a new optical sorting technique able to detect and reject aflatoxin. The biggest challenge in this new technique was to capture the extreme low intensity of the light reflected by the mold. When this type of fungus is illuminated with a particular wavelength, it reflects light with a distinctive pattern, a unique fingerprint. Thanks to extensive research and the use of high-end detectors this fingerprint can now be detected leading to the removal of aflatoxin contaminated material at a normal production flow. Best has set the first footprint for sorting out aflatoxin.
Facing the reality
In May 2008, the first Detox aflatoxin sorter was integrated in real production environment to perform in-field tests by a major Californian almond processor. 1881 pallets of almonds were sorted, after being put on hold by the VASP (Voluntary Aflatoxin Sampling Plan) system. The Detox sorted 1.877 ton (4,138,200 lbs) of almonds at 3,2 ton/h (7000 lbs), which were all tested for aflatoxin contamination afterwards.
The first pass showed 93% effectiveness on sorting out contaminated almonds. Only 0,28% of the almonds were considered bad by the sorting machine. Out of 1876 accepted pallets, 135 pallets were considered as unsafe following the common VASP tests. These chemical controls had to prove the effectiveness of our machine.
The 135 pallets that tested positive were reprocessed. This second pass was 100% successful. This time, the Detox found contaminations on only 0,01% of the almonds. Manual sorting by 8 workers had a maximum capacity of 0,7 ton/h (1500 lbs), and a failure rate of 26%. With 3,2 ton/h (7000 lbs) and 0% failure after just two passes, the dominant advantages of the Detox sorter are undeniable.
These numbers prove that the Detox Laser Sorter can accurately reject contaminated product and reduce aflatoxin below the lowest accepted level (5 ppb) without sacrificing good product. The total reject was only 0,24% of the original input.
It runs in the family
The Detox Laser sorter combines various lasers with a newly developed optical design making product with aflatoxin contamination easily detectable. The Detox sorter is now successfully being used for almonds, figs, Brazil nuts and peanuts. The Detox detection system requires no adjustments throughout the day. Simply press one button to start in the morning and one to stop at night, no calibration, or adjustments and no cleaning is required allowing for continuous production.
The BEST Detox sorter takes advantage of the BEST Helius family of free-fall laser sorters. The Helius Laser Sorter can be configured with up to (12) twelve laser sensors that provide the highest detection resolution on the market.
By combining structural measurements with full spectrum RGB color sorting the Helius is the most adaptable two sided laser, color sorter available. Operators use an intuitive color touch screen GUI human interface with simple and easy to understand controls, allowing an operator to monitor all aspects of the sorting process. BEST offers PAX VPN technology for real-time, remote monitoring and trouble shooting.
What we care for
BEST still innovates in science and application of optical inspection technology. The company has introduced the vast majority of every advance in optical sorting, and will continue to do so. The Detox aflatoxin laser sorter brings the best possible solutions for ensuring the quality and safety your products deserve.
SOURCE: BEST