Aflasort: our innovative solution for aflatoxin detection
Optimum Sorting introduces a new cutting-edge technology: Aflasort. With Aflasort, it becomes possible to optimally detect the harmful substance aflatoxin during the sorting process. This offers significant advantages, especially when processing products such as almonds and peanuts. Using lasers with specific wavelengths, products with excessively high aflatoxin levels can be efficiently sorted and excluded. This results in higher yields, less waste, and a safer food chain.
This innovation can be optionally combined with our Ventus free-fall laser sorter. Read on and discover how we can make a difference with our Aflasort technology.
What are aflatoxins?
Aflatoxins are natural toxins produced by specific molds that grow on agricultural crops such as almonds, corn, and peanuts. These molds thrive in warm and humid conditions and can contaminate crops both in the field and during harvest and storage. Aflatoxins are potentially carcinogenic; prolonged exposure has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, for example.
People can ingest these toxins by consuming contaminated products. Due to the health risks, authorities worldwide have established maximum tolerance levels. The almond industry, in particular, employs strict procedures to minimize contamination at every stage.
Aflatoxins are microscopically small and invisible to the naked eye; they also cannot be detected by changes in smell or taste. But what if, despite all efforts by growers and processors, contaminated almonds still slip through the cracks? How can you ensure that these 'contaminated' almonds do not reach the consumer? Optimum Sorting came up with a new solution to tackle this challenge...
How does Aflasort make a difference?
With Aflasort, Optimum Sorting introduces a brand-new solution for quickly and efficiently detecting aflatoxin. By combining various lasers with specific wavelengths and an innovative optical design, it is now possible to easily detect products contaminated with aflatoxins. This process involves utilizing the fluorescent properties of certain aflatoxin residues to make the invisible visible. The food with excessively high aflatoxin levels will be detected by the lasers and excluded from the processing stream. They will then be placed on a separate sorting belt. The technology has already proven to be highly successful in sorting products such as almonds and peanuts.
The perfect partner for our Ventus laser sorter
Aflasort is offered as an option for all models of the Ventus free-fall laser sorter. This sorter is available in widths of 600, 900, 1200, and 1800 mm, uses only laser detection, and can be configured with up to 16 lasers and 32 sensors. The maximum inspection width of 1800 mm makes this free-fall laser sorter the widest on the market. The Ventus can sort with extreme precision based on color, shape, structure, and biological characteristics.
The various laser signals are processed simultaneously by Optimum Sorting's Multidimensional Laser System, resulting in more accurate detection of foreign objects and product defects, and a lower risk of false rejects. With an impressive laser scanning speed of up to 400 scans per second, the Ventus offers the highest resolution among all available laser sorters.
Like all systems from Optimum Sorting, the Ventus with the Aflasort detection system is extremely user-friendly. Thanks to an intuitive color touchscreen with simple and understandable controls, operators can monitor all aspects of the sorting process. Additionally, interim adjustments, recalibration, or cleaning are not required, ensuring continuous production.
Interested in a free demo?
Get in touch with the sales team of Optimum Sorting and have your products tested at one of our demo centers around the globe. Experience firsthand the benefits our machines can bring to your business!