Method and apparatus for reducing aflatoxin-contaminated corn

US8919569B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CARGILL, INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

• Nicholas Wayne Bethke · University Park, US
• Chad Allen Conard · Delano, US
• Lawrence E. Fosdick · Oskaloosa, US
• Eugene J. Fox · Dayton, US
• Donald Grunig · Oskaloosa, US
• Steven W. Kirkvold · Omaha, US
• Abhay R. Ladhe · Eden Prairie, US
• Jacob A. Leland · Mitchell, US
• Joseph Michael Lewis · Arlington, US
• Eugene Max Peters, Jr. · Dayton, US
• Anthony John Schanilec · Otley, US
• Riley Neil Smith · Omaha, US
• Eric Guy Sumner · Minneapolis, US
• Ping Yang · Dayton, US
• Jill Louise Zullo · Excelsior, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 2013
• Grant date: Dec 30, 2014
• Expiry date: Jun 22, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A23V2002/00
• WIPO field: Food chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for separating and removing aflatoxin-contaminated corn from batches of corn by a floating process, thus producing a distinguishable floating mat of contaminated corn and a separate submerged bed of uncontaminated and less contaminated corn. The methods of this disclosure include removing the floating contaminated corn mat by a vacuum mechanism or by liquid flow. The methods reduce the aflatoxin level in the submerged corn bed as much as 80% from the initial aflatoxin level, while removing no more than 15% from the batch of corn.