Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Aflatoxin B1 in Peanut Oil
- 3. Adsorption Methods and Materials
- 4. Impact of Adsorbent Dosage on AFB1 Removal
- 5. Adsorption Kinetics and Mechanisms
- 6. Conclusion
Introduction
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, is a highly toxic secondary metabolite that contaminates various crops, including peanuts, corn, and oilseeds. In regions like China, where peanut oil is a widely used cooking oil, AFB1 contamination is a significant public health concern. This study explores the use of activated carbon to effectively remove AFB1 from peanut oil, comparing the performance of activated carbon, silica, and natural montmorillonite as adsorbents. The results provide insights into the potential use of adsorption methods for detoxifying AFB1-contaminated oils.
Aflatoxin B1 in Peanut Oil
AFB1 contamination in peanuts occurs both in the field and during storage. Peanut oil, commonly used in food preparation, is vulnerable to contamination from AFB1, posing a risk to consumers. Several methods have been proposed to detoxify AFB1 from contaminated oils, including chemical treatments (e.g., alkali or ozone), biological methods (e.g., microbial adsorption), and physical methods (e.g., UV irradiation, photocatalysis, and adsorption). Among these, adsorption is considered the most practical and simplest method, especially for oils like peanut oil that are difficult to detoxify with alkali treatments.
Adsorption Methods and Materials
In this study, different adsorbents—silica, natural montmorillonite, and activated carbon—were used to remove AFB1 from peanut oil. The experiment aimed to determine the best adsorbent in terms of efficiency and practical application.
- Materials Used: Food-grade activated carbon, silica, and natural montmorillonite.
- Procedure: Aflatoxin B1 was measured in the supernatant using a chromatographic method with a fluorescence detector. The removal efficiency was then compared based on the adsorbent used.
Impact of Adsorbent Dosage on AFB1 Removal
The amount of adsorbent was found to significantly impact the removal efficiency of AFB1. Experiments were conducted at 25°C for 24 hours to measure the effect of different adsorbent doses on AFB1 removal.
–Results: Activated carbon showed the highest AFB1 removal rate, followed by silica and natural montmorillonite. At a dosage of 1.0 mg/mL, AFB1 removal rates were as follows:
- Montmorillonite: 73.23%
- Silica: 80.35%
- Activated Carbon: 85.09%
Increasing the dosage slightly improved the removal rates, but excessively high doses led to aggregation and a decrease in available adsorption sites. Therefore, a 1.0 mg/mL concentration of adsorbent was considered optimal for AFB1 removal.
Adsorption Kinetics and Mechanisms
The adsorption kinetics were analyzed to understand the efficiency and time required for AFB1 removal by the different adsorbents. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, with rapid removal observed within the first 120 minutes. After 960 minutes, the removal rate reached equilibrium.
–Key Findings:
- a) Adsorption was faster at the beginning due to more available adsorption sites on the adsorbent’s surface.
- b) The removal rate slowed down as the adsorption sites filled up, eventually reaching a stable equilibrium.
- c) Adsorption in oil was slower compared to aqueous solutions, likely due to the higher viscosity of peanut oil (10.0 cP at 25°C) and the competition for binding sites from nutrients such as vitamin E and sterols in the oil.
Despite this, activated carbon showed excellent performance in removing AFB1 from peanut oil, suggesting its high potential for industrial applications.
Conclusion
Activated carbon proves to be an effective and promising material for removing Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from peanut oil. Its high adsorption capacity, especially when used at optimal dosages, makes it an excellent choice for detoxifying AFB1-contaminated oils. The study demonstrated that activated carbon, with its high surface area and porosity, is well-suited for industrial applications where safe and efficient detoxification of oils is required. This process offers a feasible, cost-effective solution for reducing AFB1 contamination in edible oils and improving food safety.
Article Keywords: food-grade activated carbon, activated carbon AFB1 removal, aflatoxin B1 detoxification, peanut oil detoxification, aflatoxin adsorption, adsorbent dosage, industrial oil detoxification, AFB1 removal efficiency, food safety, adsorption kinetics, natural montmorillonite, edible oil purification, mycotoxin removal
