Mineral clay binders: effective adsorbents of Aflatoxin

Different inorganic binders such as HSCAS, zeolites, bentonites, activated charcoal are used for the purpose of mycotoxin adsorption. Such binders have so far been used extensively in feed to control mycotoxins. These binders on one hand have small particles, large surface area but on other side have a limited range of mycotoxin binding ability since the binding ability is mainly restricted to aflatoxins (AFL). Other mycotoxins including DON, zearalenone (ZEA), T2 toxin and ochratoxin (OTA) lack the functional polar groups required for efficient adsorption or binding to this category of binders. This feature makes the usage of mineral clay binders less effective in controlling these categories of mycotoxins.

Yeast based products

Cell wall components derived from yeasts are known to possess toxin binding ability. Yeast culture contains fermentation metabolites as well as residual yeast cells and may bind toxins. Modified yeast cell wall carbohydrates of Saccharomyces cerevisae has been reported to effectively bind aflatoxins, and to bind ochratoxins and the Fusarium toxins to a lesser degree. Their great binding capacity results from the large area available for exchange. Effect of the yeast based component in our product on toxin binding ability was performed by conducting an in-vitro binding study.