Investigation of the effectiveness of adsorbents and ultraviolet (UV-C) light application in the removal of alternaria toxins in pomegranate juice

In this thesis study, ultraviolet (UV-C) and adsorption applications were tested for the removal of Alternaria toxins found in pomegranate juice, and the effects of these applications on the basic quality parameters of pomegranate juice were examined. The UV-C application was found to be effective in toxin removal, and it was observed that the removal rates increased as the application time increased. The highest removal rate was achieved for alternariol (AOH), with a reduction of over 60% after 16 hours of UV-C application. The toxin showing the next highest reduction after AOH was alternariol monomethyl ether (AME). These findings suggest that UV-C could be a powerful alternative method for controlling Alternaria toxins. In adsorption studies, the effectiveness of activated carbon, bentonite, molasses soil, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), gelatin, and pomegranate peel powder in adsorbing Alternaria toxins was evaluated. Bentonite and PVP are effective in removing AOH, while gelatin has only shown a significant effect on AME (p<0.05). Activated carbon was determined to be the most effective adsorbent in the adsorption of Alternaria toxins. A 2% concentration of activated carbon resulted in a reduction of over 60% for AOH and AME, and over 40% for tenuazonic acid (TeA). The application of 4% activated carbon resulted in a high reduction of 63.04-66.98%, 93.32-96.67%, and 71.62-73.93% in TeA, AOH, and AME levels, respectively. UV-C application caused a reduction of over 60% in total monomeric anthocyanin content, while adsorption applications caused significant changes in molasses soil, pH, and titration acidity. As a result, UV-C and activated carbon applications have been identified as promising methods for toxin removal. Considering the risks associated with Alternaria toxins, further research and legal regulations in this area are recommended.