Fermented Corn Flour Poisoning in Rural Areas of China Ⅲ. Isolation and Identification of Main Toxin Produced by Causal Microorganisms

Flavotoxin A was isolated from Pseudomonas cocovenenans subsp. farinofermentans culture in semisolid potato-dextrose-agar medium, which was isolated from fermented corn meal that had caused food poisoning outbreaks in China. The isolation, purification, and chemical structure of this toxin were studied. The NMR spectra, the uv spectra, and molar extinction coefficients, and the mass spectra of Flavotoxin A are in good agreement with those reported for bongkrekic acid. Therefore, Flavotoxin A and bongkrekic acid are the same organic chemical compound; the molecular formula is C_(28)H_(38)O_7. The oral LD_(50) of the purified Flavotoxin A in mice was 3.16mg/kg (1.53-6.15mg/kg). The existence of bongkrekic acid in toxic fermented corn samples collected during food poisoning outbreaks was also confirmed. It is concluded that bongkrekic acid has played an important role in the outbreaks of fermented corn poisoning. 1989 Academic Press, Inc.

Porous Carbon from Corn Flour Prepared by H₃PO₄Carbonization Combined with KOH Activation for Supercapacitors

Hierarchical porous activated carbon is a superior material in manufacturing supercapacitors. However, the hierarchical porous structure is hard to obtain from a single activation method. This work was carried out with the anticipation of producing activated carbon by reactivating corn flour with KOH. By employing the electrodes, the supercapacitor demonstrated a high discharge capacitance (151.2 F·g-1 at 1 A·g-1), and the specific capacitance is with 3.7 times more capacitance than the activated carbon only through H3PO4 activation. The mechanism of improving the electrical performance has been discussed through performing SEM, XRD, EIS, and Raman analysis. The hierarchical porous and disordered structure emerge smaller charge transfer resistance, and fast electron transfer.