Abstract
Fluorescence sorting (by both machine and hand) and color sorting (by both machine and hand) are compared as methods for reducing aflatoxin levels in groups of peanuts. An experimental design is used that allows the four methods to be compared quantitatively. Approximately 1200 photographs of peanut groups were taken, allowing for a more complete understanding of the visual characteristics of contaminated peanuts. Sampling errors are controlled by the experimental design and by including a large fraction of the peanuts in aflatoxin assays. Fluorescence sorting was not effective as an aflatoxin control method. Machine color sorting was shown to be effective in the removal of aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts. Hand sorting was shown to be even more effective than machine color sorting in aflatoxin removal.