Studies on FT-IR Spectroscopy of modified Montmorillonite clays applied for the removal of T-2 toxin in maize

Montmorillonite clay has a wide range of industrial applications which include the removal of mycotoxins in foods and feed because of its low toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. T-2 toxin is produced mostly by fungal species of Fusarium. Other T-2 producing fungal species are Myrothecium and Stachybotrys. T-2 toxin poses several health hazards such as dystrophy in the brain, heart, kidney and liver as well as ulceration and necrosis of the digestive tract in man and animals. To reduce T-2 toxin in maize, montmorillonite clay modified with lemongrass essential oil (MMT-LGEO) and montmorillonite clay washed with NaCl (Na-MMT) were applied to maize at a concentration of 8% and 12% and kept under storage for one month at 30°C. Untreated maize samples and unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) served as controls. The FTIR spectra were recorded for the two treatments and unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) used for the removal of T-2 toxin in maize. The FTIR spectra of the two treatments and unmodified clay (MMT) showed the major functional groups as Si-O and -OH. All the treatments reduced the level of T-2 toxin in maize. However, sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and montmorillonite clay modified with lemongrass essential oil (MMT-LGEO) were more efficient than unmodified montmorillonite clay (MMT) in the removal of T-2 toxin in maize.