Biochar Derived from Agro-Industrial Coconut Shell Waste for the Removal of Aflatoxin B1 Using an In Vitro Model That...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Science
• Food Safety

Background:

• Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses significant economic and health risks in poultry production.
• Agro-industrial waste utilization for biochar production offers a sustainable solution for mycotoxin removal.
• Biochar from coconut shells presents a low-cost, eco-friendly option for AFB1 remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To produce sustainable, low-cost biochar from coconut shell waste (BCS).
• To evaluate the AFB1 adsorption capacity of BCS using conventional and in vitro avian digestion models.
• To assess the real-world applicability of BCS for AFB1 mitigation in poultry.

Main Methods:

• Production of biochar from agro-industrial coconut shell waste.
• AFB1 adsorption assessment using buffer solutions at varying pH levels (1.2, 5.0, 6.8).
• Evaluation of BCS efficacy in an in vitro avian digestion model simulating broiler chicken gastrointestinal conditions.

Main Results:

• BCS demonstrated near 100% AFB1 adsorption at pH 1.2 and 5.0, and 86.24% at pH 6.8.
• In the in vitro avian digestion model, BCS adsorption capacity for AFB1 was significantly lower at 32.96%.
• Results highlight a discrepancy between ideal laboratory conditions and simulated physiological environments for biochar efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Coconut shell biochar shows high potential for AFB1 removal under specific laboratory conditions.
• The in vitro avian digestion model reveals a reduced adsorption capacity, crucial for accurate efficacy assessment.
• Further investigation is needed to account for physiological factors influencing biochar performance in vivo for effective poultry feed treatments.