Enzymatic degradation of trichothecene mycotoxins
A novel enzymatic solution for detoxifying trichothecene mycotoxins in corn, improving safety and reducing economic losses. This method integrates into existing processing systems, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional decontamination methods.
Overview
The University of Manitoba has developed an innovative enzymatic solution designed to detoxify trichothecene mycotoxins in corn, a significant concern for food and feed safety. These naturally occurring microbial enzymes break down harmful mycotoxins into non-toxic compounds, offering a complete detoxification process. This methodology provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional decontamination techniques, reducing economic losses associated with contaminated corn products.
Technical specifications
The solution involves applying these enzymes directly into the steeping water during the corn wet milling process, requiring no major modifications or additional equipment. This integration ensures that mycotoxins and their metabolites are degraded early in the production chain, enhancing safety and quality. Laboratory results demonstrate the enzymes' ability to completely remove 50 ppm of DON and its metabolites within 24 hours. Future development will focus on identifying the responsible genes and enzymes, optimizing for higher temperature performance if necessary, and expanding the platform to degrade additional toxins like nivalenol.
Technology readiness level
Currently, this technology is at TRL 2, meaning the concept has been formulated and basic principles have been observed. Future validation will involve testing the enzymes in industrial conditions, assessing their compatibility with existing workflows, and optimizing their performance for commercial applications.
About University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba is a comprehensive public research university in Winnipeg with a broad portfolio spanning discovery to translation. Industry engages through an on-campus research and technology park that colocates companies with university labs, and through a health sciences campus embedded in the city’s hospital district for clinical studies and clinical-grade prototyping. A well-established co-op and internship ecosystem and the region’s logistics hub position make collaboration, field trials, and pilot-scale testing accessible. Research is supported by competitive funding from NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. A dedicated technology transfer office provides IP strategy, licensing, and startup support with flexible agreements for corporate partners.
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