Application of Edible Montmorillonite Clays for the Adsorption and Detoxification of Microcystin

Abstract

Exposure to microcystins (MCs) in humans and animals commonly occurs through the consumption of drinking water and food contaminated with cyanobacteria. Although studies have focused on developing water filtration treatments for MCs using activated carbon, dietary sorbents to reduce the bioavailability of MCs from the stomach and intestines have not been reported. To address this need, edible calcium and sodium montmorillonite clays were characterized for their ability to bind MC containing leucine and arginine (MC-LR) under conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract and compared with a medical-grade activated carbon. Results of in vitro adsorption isotherms and thermodynamics showed that binding plots for MC-LR on montmorillonites fit the Langmuir model with high binding capacity, affinity, Gibbs free energy, and enthalpy. The in silico results from molecular modeling predicted that the major binding mechanisms involved electrostatics and hydrogen bonds, and that interlayers were important binding sites. The safety and detoxification efficacy of the sorbents against MC-LR were validated in a battery of living organisms, including Hydra vulgaris, Lemna minor, and Caenorhabditis

Inclusion of Montmorillonite Clays in Environmental Barrier Formulations to Reduce Skin Exposure to Water-Soluble Chemicals from Polluted Water

“…These materials have been researched extensively as active ingredients in sunscreen and should require no further safety evaluations. , In our study, carbon- and clay-based adsorbents have been incorporated in this formulation for their protection against UV radiation ranging from 250 to 400 nm, and more importantly, to prevent the incursion of hazardous environmental pollutants from water. Montmorillonites, with high surface area, neutral color, tunable pore size, and biocompatibility, have been shown to adsorb environmental chemicals efficiently and have been included in EVBs for environmental decontamination. − …”