title: Applications of natural zeolites on agriculture and food production.
abstract: Zeolites are crystalline hydrated aluminosilicates with remarkable physical and chemical properties, which include losing and receiving water in a reverse way, adsorbing molecules that act as molecular sieves, and replacing their constituent cations without structural change. The commercial production of natural zeolites has accelerated during the last 50 years. The Structure Commission of the International Zeolite Association recorded more than 200 zeolites, which currently include more than 40 naturally occurring zeolites. Recent findings have supported their role in stored-pest management as inert dust applications, pesticide and fertilizer carriers, soil amendments, animal feed additives, mycotoxin binders and food packaging materials. There are many advantages of inert dust application, including low cost, non-neurotoxic action, low mammalian toxicity and safety for human consumption. The latest consumer trends and government protocols have shifted toward organic origin materials to replace synthetic chemical products. In the present review, we summarize most of the main uses of zeolites in food and agruculture, along with the with specific paradigms that illustrate their important role. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Marmara Research Center Food Institute, Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nazife
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.affiliation: Ankara University Faculty of Agriculture Department of Plant Protection, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mevlut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emekci
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Nea Ionia, Magnesia, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Athanassiou
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D005503:Food Additives / Q000737:chemistry; D019649:Food Industry; D017641:Zeolites / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D005503:Food Additives; D017641:Zeolites
keywords: food production; mycotoxin control; stored-pest management; zeolites