Kansas State University researchers have verified a common belief that cleaning corn with common industry methods will reduce mycotoxins that may be present in the crop.
"We have quantified that you can reduce mycotoxins by 30 percent by cleaning corn," said Cassandra Jones, an associate professor of animal science and industry at Kansas State University.
However, they are cautioning that highly contaminated corn still may not be safe for animal feed or alternate uses even after cleaning.
The K-State findings are particularly relevant in an industry where one particular mycotoxin - aflatoxin - causes more than $52 million in U.S. corn losses yearly.