Interactions of Fumonisin B1 with Smectite, Zeolite, and Imogolite.

Fungi Fusarium moniliform and F. proliferatum can produce fumonisins, especially fumonisin B1 (FB1), an aliphatic mycotoxin considered as a carcinogenic to humans and animals. The post harvest strategies to avoid FB1 mycotoxicosis include biological, physical, and chemical methods. The most economical detoxification measure is probably the use of inorganic adsorbent materials. Studies have shown that the efficiency of the adsorbents depends on the chemical structures and physical properties of both the adsorbent and the mycotoxin. The critical properties of the adsorbate molecules are polarity, solubility, shape, and charge distribution. The main objective of this research was to identify interactions between Fumonisin B1 and three minerals that differ in structure, surface area, and polarity. These minerals are potential adsorbents for FB1. Imogolite, zeolite, and smectite clays before and after reacting with FB1were investigated using x-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. After two times of washing with water, the infrared bands of FB1 remained, indicating the stability of the adsorbed FB1 on the minerals. The following characteristic infrared bands suggested the presence of FB1 on the minerals:  1724, 1730, and 1628 cm-1 (carboxyl groups); 1576cm-1 (N-H); 1465, 1396, and 1356 cm-1. These bands are consistent in all samples, This study suggest that the minerals used in this research are potential adsorbents of fuminisin B1.