Ochratoxin A and zearalenone adsorption by surfactant modified zeolite

Abstract

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CP) was used to modify the surface of the natural zeolite and adsorption of two mycotoxins, ochratoxin A (OCHRA) and zearalenone (ZEN) was investigated. The organozeolites were prepared with three different levels of CP (20, 50 and 100% of zeolite’s external cation exchange capacity) and mycotoxin adsorption experiments were done at pH 3 and 7. Results showed that with increasing amounts of CP at the zeolitic surface, adsorption of OCHRA and ZEN increased, as well as with increasing amounts of solid phase in suspension. Adsorption of OCHRA was dependent of the form of OCHRA in solution while ZEN adsorption was pH independent. Maximum adsorption was obtained with the highest level of CP present at the zeolitic surface for both mycotoxins.