Sustainable Bio-Fuel Production
TOXIN DETECTION IN CORN
Almost half of the corn produced in North America is used for bio-fuel production. Corn is supplied to bio-fuel producers, who process the corn into ethanol, and the remaining biomass is utilized in animal feed, making the process sustainable & economically viable. During processing, mycotoxins can survive the extraction process and if allowed to enter the food chain via animal feed, can pose a danger to both animal and human health. GLA’s mission is to tackle this challenge head-on!
By testing corn for mycotoxins prior to ethanol production, producers can ensure that only high-quality, uncontaminated corn is used in the process. This not only reduces the risk of mycotoxins entering the food chain, but by providing rapid, accurate analysis truck-side, as corn is delivered, it helps improve the overall efficiency and throughput of the bio-refinery. Testing to ensure that corn is toxin-free also assists farmers as it has higher market resale value, and it makes the production of biofuel cost-effective
The HarvestIQ, a novel, on-site analyzer measures the chemical profile of plants during both growth and after harvest, GLA is working with Agriculture Canada to expand its capabilities to include testing corn for mycotoxins prior to its use in bio-ethanol production.
HarvestIQ’s rapid and accurate analysis allows biofuel refiners to:
- Optimize profits by maximizing the amount of byproduct that can be diverted to animal feed
- Ensure the safety of the food supply by preventing mycotoxins from being introduced to the byproducts
- Enhance facility productivity and throughput by swiftly screening incoming corn truck-side.
