Diggie's Friend
06-08-2017, 05:58 PM
http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/aflatoxin.php Other references are cited on this webpage.
Though tree squirrels eat the nuts that fall to the ground from trees, habitats that are isolated from human dwellings and cultivations are not as high a risk. Still a safer choice not to feed any nuts or pinecones that have fallen to the ground to squirrels or other pets.
“So what can you do to avoid aflatoxins?”
“Don't keep grains and nuts (particularly, corn, peanuts and cottonseed) for long periods (more than a few months) before eating them. Store them in a dry (low humidity) cool environment – a freezer is excellent! Buy from known, reputable sources - where you know it is fresh and has been handled properly.”
Using vacuumed sealed bags, shelled nuts can be stored in the freezer, as the toxin is most commonly found on the outiside of the shell. Keep in mind that if even there is a tiny hole in a nut, this toxin can enter.
Testing for Aflatoxins is apparently now available.
http://www.envirologix.com/mycotoxin-testing/aflatoxin-testing/
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Total-aflatoxin-test-strips-for-feed_60015099593.html
Other references:
https://draxe.com/aflatoxin/
http://www.envirologix.com/technology/mycotoxin-testing-technology/
https://www.noble.org/news/publications/ag-news-and-views/1998/november/understanding-and-preventing-aflatoxin-poisoning/
http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS.2004.88.12.1366
Though tree squirrels eat the nuts that fall to the ground from trees, habitats that are isolated from human dwellings and cultivations are not as high a risk. Still a safer choice not to feed any nuts or pinecones that have fallen to the ground to squirrels or other pets.
“So what can you do to avoid aflatoxins?”
“Don't keep grains and nuts (particularly, corn, peanuts and cottonseed) for long periods (more than a few months) before eating them. Store them in a dry (low humidity) cool environment – a freezer is excellent! Buy from known, reputable sources - where you know it is fresh and has been handled properly.”
Using vacuumed sealed bags, shelled nuts can be stored in the freezer, as the toxin is most commonly found on the outiside of the shell. Keep in mind that if even there is a tiny hole in a nut, this toxin can enter.
Testing for Aflatoxins is apparently now available.
http://www.envirologix.com/mycotoxin-testing/aflatoxin-testing/
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Total-aflatoxin-test-strips-for-feed_60015099593.html
Other references:
https://draxe.com/aflatoxin/
http://www.envirologix.com/technology/mycotoxin-testing-technology/
https://www.noble.org/news/publications/ag-news-and-views/1998/november/understanding-and-preventing-aflatoxin-poisoning/
http://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PDIS.2004.88.12.1366