Mesoporous silica nanoparticles adsorb aflatoxin B₁ and reduce mycotoxin-induced cell damage

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a toxic mycotoxin posing significant health risks.
• Developing effective methods for AFB1 detection and removal is crucial.
• Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) offer a high surface area for potential adsorption applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the adsorption capacity of MSNs for AFB1.
• To evaluate the toxicity of MSNs and their efficacy in mitigating AFB1-induced cytotoxicity.
• To assess the safety of MSNs using NIH3T3 cells and hemolysis tests.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of MSNs (size, surface area).
• AFB1 adsorption experiments at varying MSN concentrations and contact times.
• Cytotoxicity assays using NIH3T3 cells exposed to MSNs and AFB1.
• Hemolysis tests to evaluate red blood cell compatibility.

Main Results:

• MSNs exhibited high surface area (1195 m²/g) and optimal size (39.97 nm).
• AFB1 adsorption capacity increased with MSN concentration, reaching ~70% at 2.0 mg/mL.
• Adsorption was rapid, with ~67% uptake within minutes and sustained over time.
• MSNs showed no inherent toxicity to NIH3T3 cells and reversed AFB1-induced cytotoxicity.
• Hemolysis tests confirmed the safety of MSNs.

Conclusions:

• MSNs demonstrate significant potential for adsorbing AFB1, a harmful mycotoxin.
• MSNs are non-toxic and can effectively neutralize the cytotoxic effects of AFB1.
• This research establishes MSNs as a promising agent for mycotoxin remediation and safety enhancement.