Zearalenone Removal by Using Banana Peel as an Adsorbent

Zearalenone (ZEA) is the most occurring Fusarium toxin in animal feed causing reproductive disorders and results in severe economical losses. A renewable bio adsorbent sourced from banana peel was tested for in vitro removal of ZEA from liquid mediums at different pH values. Efficacy of banana peel to sequester ZEA was evaluated by varying its pH, adsorbent dosage, equilibration time and quantified by using UHPLC-MS/MS. Adsorption was found to be efficient and completed in fifteen minutes with highest adsorption at alkaline pH (9). The adsorption and desorption studies have demonstrated the adsorption was strong enough to sustain the pH changes (3-9). Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to characterize the surface of bio sorbent to explain the mechanism of adsorption. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm was found to be best fitted model with maximum monolayer capacity (Q0) 8 ng/mg. The results of this study suggested that dried banana peel may be an effective low cost decontamination method to be incorporated in animal feed.