Tailored clay sorbents for aflatoxin removal in corn wet-milling
Innovative clay-based composite sorbents designed for selective aflatoxin removal in corn wet-milling processes. These sorbents facilitate dual interaction mechanisms, ensuring rapid adsorption and efficient separation, seamlessly integrating into existing industrial systems.
Overview
Tailored clay-based composite sorbents offer an advanced solution for the selective removal of aflatoxins from corn wet-milling streams. By combining montmorillonite with functional polymers and cyclodextrin moieties, these sorbents utilize dual interaction mechanisms—surface adsorption and hydrophobic inclusion—to effectively target and remove aflatoxins. This innovation is designed to seamlessly integrate into existing processing units, particularly within steepwater and selected slurry streams, minimizing the impact on product quality while significantly reducing toxin levels in downstream and recycle streams.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Combines montmorillonite with functional polymers and cyclodextrin moieties for enhanced aflatoxin targeting
- Employs dual interaction mechanisms: surface adsorption and hydrophobic inclusion
- Facilitates rapid adsorption and efficient separation via sedimentation or centrifugation
- Tailored for integration into existing corn wet-milling processes, particularly steepwater and slurry streams
- Optimized for minimal impact on high-value starch products while reducing toxin propagation
Technology readiness level
Currently at Technology Readiness Level 2, this technology is in the initial stages of development. The ongoing research includes analyzing aflatoxin properties, designing tailored sorbents, and testing in model systems, with plans for progressing to real wet-milling matrices and industrial trials.
About Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is a comprehensive public research university with multiple campuses in Jerusalem and an agricultural campus in Rehovot. Its integration with Hadassah’s university hospitals enables clinical studies, access to varied patient populations, and co‑located research that accelerates translation. Industry engagement runs through Yissum, the university’s tech‑transfer company, managing IP, licensing, startup creation, and sponsored research agreements. Research is supported by competitive national funding and international programs, including European Union frameworks.
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