39D-10

F. C. F. GALVEZ¹, M. L. D. L. Francisco¹, M. A. Padua¹, E. V. Edra², A. O. Lustre², and A. V. A. Resurreccion³. (1) Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of the Philippines Diliman, College of Home Economics, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines, (2) Food Development Center, (3) University of Georgia

JUSTIFICATION: International regulation prohibits peanut products with high levels of aflatoxin (>15 ppb)to be sold in the market. This limits the market potential (particularly the export potential) of very popular Philippine peanut products such as the Kare-Kare mix (a dry mix used as thickener for Filipino beef stew made primarily with ground peanuts and rice flour). Small- and medium-scale peanut processors in the Philippines cannot afford to have the sophisticated machineries employed by large companies in developed countries to sort their raw peanuts. Labor, however, can be much cheaper in this country.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to develop a dry-blanching procedure to facilitate manual sorting of mold-infected (aflatoxin-contaminated) peanut kernels from raw peanuts.

METHODS: An industry collaborator was identified and its facilities were used in the study. The optimum time (25, 35 45, 55 and 65 min) of dry-blanching the peanuts to allow the development of the color in mold-infected kernels was determined using the collaborator's roaster. Guidelines were developed on the proper procedure for the manual sorting of the mold-infected kernels and tested for training employees on said procedure.

RESULTS: Results showed that dry-blanching 50 kg of raw peanuts for 45-55 min could facilitate proper deskinning and subsequent sorting of the mold-infected (aflatoxin-contaminated) peanut kernels, rendering the "clean" peanuts free of aflatoxin (0 ppb) starting with raw materials with aflatoxin content that is as high as 300 ppb. The guidelines developed were found effective and very easy to implement in training employees on the proper procedure for the manual sorting of mold-infected peanut kernels.

SIGNIFICANCE: The industry collaborator hired and trained more people on the manual sorting procedure and has now incorporated said procedure in their process. All peanut products that this manufacturer produces now are assured to be aflatoxin-free. When the exclusivity agreement expires in one year, the technology will be open for adoption by all interested peanut product manufacturers which will significantly improve the quality of peanut products in the market thus benefitting all consumers.