Acidic electrolyzed oxidizing water (AcEW) is prepared by electrolyzing electrolyte solution using an electrolysis apparatus with an ion-exchange membrane. AcEW has a pH <3.0. a high oxidation -reduction potential (ORP) >1000 mV and a high available chlorine concentration (ACC). In this research, the effectiveness of AcEW on decontamination of aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) from naturally contaminated peanuts was investigated. According to our results, after the contaminated peanuts were soaked with AcEW solution (the ratio of liquid to solid was 5:1 (v/m)) for 15 min at room temperature, the content of AFB(1) in peanuts decreased from 34.80 mu g/kg to around 5 mu g/kg. That is, about 85% AFB(1) was decontaminated from contaminated samples. Ambient temperature and soaking time could markedly influence the elimination rate of AFB(1) in contaminated peanuts. The elimination of AFB(1) was relatively high when the ambient temperature was 25 degrees C or 45 degrees C. And the contaminated peanuts soaked in AcEW for 15 min can effectively decontaminate AFB(1). In addition, the nutrition of peanuts didn't significantly change after treatment including the appearance of color. We also found that high level of ACC is the primary factor in AFB(1) elimination. Furthermore, ACC in the form of HCIO is probably more efficient than ACC in the form of CIO- on AFB(1) elimination. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.