Increasing the adsorbtion of clinoptilolite as toxin binder by heat treatment

Abstract

Mycotoxins are one of the most important biosafety issues in the chain of animal food production today. Clinoptilolite is an important clay mineral which is dwelled on due to its adsorbent characteristics. In this study, it is aimed to activate the clinoptilolite by increasing the adsorption amount through application of heat treatment at different temperatures and durations. A total of 13 trial samples consisting of one control (non heat-treated) and 12 trial groups, in which 3 different temperatures (300 o C, 450 o C and 600 o C) and 4 different heating durations (15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min) were applied, were analysed in terms of physicochemical properties, and thereby mineral and chemical content as well as physical properties were determined through X-ray diffraction method, XRF spectrophotometer and analyses, respectively. The heavy metal (Pb, Hg, Cd) levels of zeolite and active clinoptilolites were determined in these clinoptilolites activated by total cation exchange capacity (CEC), selectivity and other adsorbent properties such as primary adsorbed gases. As a result, it was observed at the pre-heat treatment trials that adsorption capacity of clinoptilolite, highly activated by applying heat treatment at different temperatures and durations, increased. Therefore, it can be stated that mycotoxin, moisture and gas binding capacity of clinoptilolite can increase about 4 times compared to clinoptilolite produced by means of conventional method.