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BACKGROUND Corn grains are commonly contaminated with mycotoxins and fungi. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reduction of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 and the inhibition of Aspergillus niger in corn grains using ultrasound, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, electrolyzed water, and sodium bicarbonate. The determination of aflatoxins was performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and postcolumn derivatization, and analysis of A. niger was performed by evaluating mycelial growth in potato dextrose agar. The best treatment for reducing aflatoxins and inhibiting mycelial growth was evaluated in corn contaminated with A. niger. RESULTS The results show a significant reduction in aflatoxins in the following order: sodium bicarbonate > ultrasound > UV > electrolyzed water for aflatoxins B1, B2, and G2. For aflatoxin G1, the order of reduction was sodium bicarbonate > ultrasound > electrolyzed water > UV, with maximum values between 70.50% and 87.03% reached with sodium bicarbonate; for the other treatments, the reduction was between 51.51% and 65.44%. Regarding the fungus, the order of inhibition in the control of mycelial growth was sodium bicarbonate > ultrasound > electrolyzed water > UV in corn grains, and inhibition of mycelial growth was obtained at a sodium bicarbonate concentration of 3.0 g L−1. CONCLUSION Sodium bicarbonate, electrolyzed water, ultrasound, and UV radiation inhibited the growth of A. niger on potato dextrose agar and reduced the contents of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in vitro. Sodium bicarbonate showed an ability to inhibit mycelial growth in corn grains. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Purpose This paper aims to address the issue of food security and its role in the inclusion of edible and medicinal mushrooms in the diets of nutritionally vulnerable populations in Colombia, allowing an overview of the nutritional situation and its main structural causes, the importance of food security programs, the advantages and disadvantages of the use of mushrooms and strategies and challenges in promoting the cultivation and consumption of macromycetes. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review was conducted to develop this viewpoint paper. Findings According to the results of this study, for edible fungi to become a viable alternative in the Colombian food culture, it is necessary to develop strategies and educational programs for food security, to conduct applied research to assess the incorporation of mushrooms into the food culture of the communities and to consider the acceptability of this food. This requires promoting the properties of mushrooms and considering their nutritional and/or medicinal contributions, self-consumption, commercialization to buy other food and the utilization of by-products or agricultural residues for cultivation, all while paying heed to the implications of food safety and regulations. The contributions of different professionals in social and technical areas in transferring knowledge to the community, and especially to “replicator leaders”, is also of great relevance to the acceptability of these ideas within communities. Social implications Edible fungi are a possible response to malnutrition problems in adult and infant populations in Colombia. Originality/value No previous study has investigated the potential of mushrooms as a strategy to decrease food insecurity in Colombia.

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