Can't eat 'frozen steamed bread'? Will aflatoxins be produced in the refrigerator for more than 3 days? It's time to take care

Steamed bread is one of the essential staple foods in every family. Steamed bread is mainly made of fermented flour and contains a lot of carbohydrates, which can supplement the energy of the human body, increase the glycogen reserve, and prevent the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Steamed bread is easy to digest and absorb without irritating the gastrointestinal tract.

While shopping is more convenient now, some people don't even have time to shop. They can buy a lot of them at a time and store the buns in the refrigerator, which makes it more convenient to eat.

However, there is some controversy regarding the storage of steamed bread. Some people say that frozen steamed bread cannot be eaten, and aflatoxin will be produced if stored for more than three days. Is this correct? any scientific evidence? let us see.

What is aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin (AFT), a chemically similar compound, is a derivative of dihydrofuranocoumarin, a secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

The harm of aflatoxin to human health is mainly caused by human consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated food. Aflatoxins are commonly found in whole foods in grains, legumes, and tree nuts (corn, peanuts, rice, soybeans, rice, etc.).

How harmful is aflatoxin to the human body?

1. Acute poisoning.

Aflatoxin is a highly toxic substance, 68 times more toxic than arsenic, 10 times more toxic than cyanide, second only to botulinum toxin, and is currently the most toxic toxin in mold.

Its toxic effects, in any animal or human, cause major changes in the liver, leading to bile duct hyperplasia, acute hepatitis, hepatocyte steatosis and hemorrhagic necrosis. At the same time, the human spleen and pancreas will also have mild lesions.

2. Liver

It is a hepatocarcinogen, and its aflatoxin B1 causes cells to repair DNA incorrectly, resulting in severe DNA mutagenesis, which inhibits protein synthesis.

According to the epidemiological survey of liver cancer in China, the pollution level of aflatoxin in the diet of people in some areas is positively correlated with the incidence of primary liver cancer.

3. Induce cancer.

Aflatoxin B1 is currently the most carcinogenic chemical. Its high carcinogenic intensity can induce liver cancer, gastric cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, ovary, small intestine and other cancers.

Can you eat frozen steamed buns? Will aflatoxins be produced in the refrigerator for more than 3 days? It's time to take care.

First, aflatoxins grow in a temperature range of 12-42 degrees Celsius, with an optimum temperature of about 33 degrees Celsius. The higher the temperature, the faster the growth of Aspergillus flavus.

To this end, relevant experts conducted an experiment, dividing 100 steamed buns into 10 groups. A group has 10 buns. The first group was placed in the refrigerator for one day, the second group in the refrigerator for two days, three days, four days, five days, and so on. After comparing the freezing days of 10 groups of steamed bread, it was found that steamed bread that was frozen for more than three days would not produce aflatoxin.

Frozen steamed bread can generally be stored for about 2-3 months, but it should not be stored for too long, so as not to affect the quality and taste. In an environment above 20 degrees at room temperature, steamed bread is easily invaded by microorganisms such as bacteria.

Generally placed in a plastic bag, it can only be stored for one day in summer, and the temperature in spring and autumn is slightly lower, so it can be stored for about 2 days, but it is best to eat it as soon as possible.

You should also pay attention to regularly cleaning the inside of the refrigerator to reduce the growth of mold, prevent the problem of aflatoxin, reduce the risk of cancer, and ensure health.

Further reading: Can meat that has been frozen for a year still be eaten?

The refrigerator and the refrigerator have a fresh-keeping effect, such as some fresh fruits and vegetables, which can be placed in it. Another example is some fresh meat, seafood, pasta, etc. that can only be stored for a short period of time.

Refrigerators don't sterilize, it just makes them multiply more slowly. So if you want to keep it for a long time, you still have to keep it in the refrigerator.

Foods are safest in the refrigerator, but they lose their nutrients slowly, because most of the temperature in the refrigerator is below minus 18 degrees, which can inhibit the reproduction of microorganisms, stop growth in a short period of time, and inhibit the food itself chemical reaction.

If it is vacuum-packed and sterile meat, the shelf life can be from one year to 18 months. Farming experts say it takes 24 hours for pork to go to market after slaughter.

Therefore, if it is not eaten within a day or two, it can be placed in the refrigerator, otherwise, it must be placed in the refrigerator to ensure that the pork does not deteriorate.

Meat that has been stored for a year, although it is edible, has a relatively poor taste, especially for people with a bad stomach, abdominal pain and diarrhea will also occur, so this kind of meat that has been stored for too long should also be handled as much as possible.

Try to avoid ingesting too much in a reasonable amount of time, which can cause harm to your body.

How much do you know about the shelf life of refrigerator food?

Red meat pig, beef, lamb 10 to 12 months. Beef is more stable than pig and mutton, and lean meat lasts longer than fatty meat.

Chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, etc. are slightly shorter than red meat, 8 to 10 months.

Seafood and river fresh, including fish, shrimp, turtles, and shellfish, have a shorter quality period than livestock and poultry, generally up to about half a year, and it is best to eat them within 4 months.

That said, early handling has a big impact on the shelf life of frozen foods. For example, fresh fish can only be frozen for 1-2 months without any treatment; but after scientific treatment, the shelf life can be extended to half a year.

Besides the meat, how many days can fruit usually be stored?

Different fruits have different shelf life. For grapes and raisins, they can be refrigerated for about half a month; citrus and oranges can be kept for more than a month.

Apple, snake fruit, kiwi, etc. , can be refrigerated for about 20 days; Brin, pears and other fruits can be refrigerated for more than a month. A completely uncut watermelon can be refrigerated for a month, while a sliced ​​watermelon will only last 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

Conclusion: In fact, in addition to steamed bread, many foods in real life may be contaminated with aflatoxins, such as long bubble fungus, moldy bread, bitter nuts, etc. If you accidentally eat foods that contain aflatoxins, you can boost your metabolism by drinking plenty of water and flush out excess toxins and waste from your body.

Generally, aflatoxins do not remain in the body unless taken continuously, and most of the toxin is excreted through the breath, urine, and feces after about a week.