[In vitro adsorption of aflatoxins by means of sorbent compounds: montmorillonite].
Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins that can be present as contaminants in a great number of food and feedstuffs. It has been demonstrated that non-nutritive adsorbent compounds are able not only to adsorb aflatoxins but also to prevent its gastrointestinal absorption. The objective of this study is to evaluate the adsorptive capacity of a montmorillonite (a natural silicate) with regard to aflatoxins, and to evaluate the efficacy and stability of the aflatoxin-montmorillonite complex in several pH, temperature and reaction media. Results have demonstrated that, at a concentration of 1% w/v, this adsorbent has a high efficacy in the sorption of aflatoxins, with mean sorption percentages higher than 98% in most of cases. Physisorption is probably the sorption mechanism of this process.
Ramos Girona
A J
AJ
Dpt. Tecnologia d'Aliments, Universitat de Lleida, Alcalde Rovira Roure 177, 25198-Lleida, Spain. ajramos@tecal.udl.es
Hernández Giménez
E
E