Decontamination of T-2 Toxin in Maize by Modified Montmorillonite Clay

Abstract

Montmorillonite clay has a wide range of applications, one of which includes the binding of mycotoxins in foods and feeds through adsorption. T-2 toxin, produced by some Fusarium, Myrothecium, and Stachybotrys species, causes dystrophy in the brain, heart, and kidney. Various formulations that include lemongrass essential oil-modified montmorillonite clay (LGEO-MMT), lemongrass powder (LGP), montmorillonite clay washed with 1 mM NaCl (Na-MMT), montmorillonite clay (MMT), and lemongrass powder mixed with montmorillonite clay (LGP-MMT) were applied to maize at concentrations of 8% and 12% and stored for a period of one month at 30 °C. Unmodified montmorillonite clay and LGP served as the negative controls alongside untreated maize. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the various treatments showed the major functional groups as Si-O and -OH. All treatment formulations were effective in the decontamination of T-2 toxin in maize. Accordingly, it was revealed that the inclusion of Na-MMT in maize at a concentration of 8% was most effective in decontaminating T-2 toxin by 66% in maize followed by LGP-MMT at 12% inclusion level recording a 56% decontamination of T-2 toxin in maize (p = 0.05). Montmorillonite clay can be effectively modified with plant extracts for the decontamination of T-2 toxin.

Thermogravimetric Analysis of Modified Montmorillonite Clay for Mycotoxin Decontamination in Cereal Grains

“…e nanoformulations did not show any significant difference in the decontamination of AFG 1 in the millet samples compared with the control. However, in the previous studies, Mont-Na was proven to be the most efficient in decontaminating T-2 toxin in maize [14], while Mont-LGP was the most efficient in decontaminating zearalenone in millet [15]. Other studies have also shown that bentonite which is mainly montmorillonite is effective in the adsorption of mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxins [25,26].…”

“…Furthermore, a mixture of montmorillonite clay and lemongrass has been applied for the same purpose in cereal grains. Modified montmorillonite clay has proven efficient in decontaminating T-2 toxin in maize and zearalenone in millet [14,15]. e use of clay for decontamination of mycotoxins is an adsorption approach, which involves chemical and physical forces that help decrease the formation of toxins and lessen their health effects thereof in animals [16].…”

Reduction of T‐2 and HT‐2 mycotoxins by atmospheric cold plasma and its impact on quality changes and germination of wheat grains

“…The difference between the reduction levels of T‐2 and HT‐2 toxins might be due to the difference in their chemical structure, and the multistep degradation that takes place during the ACP treatment (Kiš et al., 2020). The T‐2 metabolic pathway is in its rapid deacetylation at C‐4, which results in the formation of HT‐2 (Kuchenbuch et al., 2018; Monaci et al., 2011; Olopade et al., 2019), which explained the comparatively lower degradation of the HT‐2 during longer ACP treatments. Unlike mycotoxins that have long aliphatic chains, mycotoxins including T‐2 and HT‐2, that contain mixed structures of condensed rings and aliphatic chains, result in intermediate degradation (Ten Bosch et al., 2017).…”

T-2 Toxin—The Most Toxic Trichothecene Mycotoxin: Metabolism, Toxicity, and Decontamination Strategies

“…Operations including pre-harvest control (e.g., appropriate sowing dates, balanced fertilization, pest infestation management, and selection of resistant varieties), harvest control (e.g., proper timeliness of harvest, reduction of mechanical damages, effective cleaning), and post-harvest strategies (e.g., efficient drying and good storage practices) should mitigate mycotoxin production in agricultural commodities [74]. However, it may not be possible to completely prevent the formation of T-2 in agricultural products, and decontamination strategies involving physical, chemical, and biological techniques need to be used to decontaminate T-2 toxin [75].…”