Aflatoxin BS: Revised Structure for the Sodium Sulfonate Formed by Destruction of Aflatoxin B with Sodium Bisulfite , .

A promising method for the destruction of aflatoxin B in commodities is treatment with sodium bisulfite to yield a single major product, aflatoxin BS. On the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet and infrared spectra, elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, deuterium labeling and stability to highly acidic conditions, the structure of aflatoxin BS was established as the 15 α-sodium sulfonate of aflatoxin B The formation of aflatoxin B products substituted at the 15 position only is unprecedented and implies an unusual mechanism. The formation of a single addition product under conditions that seemingly rule out a previously proposed free radical mechanism suggested a newly proposed ionic reaction mechanism.

Destruction of Aflatoxin B with Sodium Bisulfite: Isolation of the Major Product Aflatoxin BS.

The reaction between aflatoxin B and sodium bisulfite yielded almost quantitatively a light yellow, highly fluorescent water-soluble product, aflatoxin BS. Reverse-phase (C) high pressure liquid chromatography (with and without the paired-ion technique), and normal- and reverse-phase thin layer chromatography revealed the ionic product at greater than 98% yield. The product's intense fluorescence, identical in color to that of aflatoxins B and B, supported the conclusion that the lactone of aflatoxin B was not opened by bisulfite and that the reaction took place at some other location on the aflatoxin B molecule.

Destruction of Aflatoxin in Corn with Sodium Bisulfite .

The ability of sodium bisulfite to destroy aflatoxins B and B in naturally contaminated corn containing about 2350 ppb of B and 450 ppb of B was investigated. Under certain conditions, complete destruction of aflatoxin B was achieved. Aflatoxin B, on the other hand, was resistant to sodium bisulfite and never over about 50% was destroyed.