Enzyme-Like Metal-Organic Frameworks in Polymeric Membranes for Efficient Removal of Aflatoxin B₁

Biodegradation is a mild and efficient way to protect humans and animals from mycotoxins. However, microbes and enzymes are susceptible to environmental change, lack of stability, and reusability. In this work, three peroxidase-like metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), as artificial substitutes of natural peroxidase, are used for aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) removal, demonstrating the strong removal ability for AFB₁ and anti-interference ability toward other substances. There are distinct adsorption and catalytic properties among these MOFs that are mainly because of the differences in structure and Fe ion active sites. Then, we immobilized these MOFs into ultrafiltration membranes to form a multifunctional membrane (i.e., filtration, adsorption, and catalysis) for AFB₁ removal with good reusability that can be operated in simultaneous adsorption/catalysis or adsorption followed by catalysis/regeneration modes. Physicochemical analysis and animal experiments showed that the degradation products are probably several low-carbon substances whose toxic groups are cleaved.