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

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.