Aflatoxin-detoxification achieved with Mexican traditional nixtamalization process (MTNP) is reversible

To evaluate the effectiveness of maize detoxification achieved with the Mexican traditional nixtamalization process (MTNP), grain contaminated with 678.3 µg/kg of total aflatoxins was processed into tortillas. The MTNP caused an apparent 93.2% decrease in aflatoxin content in tortillas. However, extracts acidification prior to mycotoxin quantification caused in maize dough (masa) a 57.2% reformation of the original aflatoxin and 33.9% in tortillas. According to these results, the MTNP seems not to be safe for total detoxification, since a high percentage of the original aflatoxin content can be reverted to the original fluorescent form by the acidic medium. Acidification of the aflatoxin extracts, as occurs during digestion, would lead to a rebuilding of the aflatoxin molecule.