Biosorptive detoxification of zearalenone biotoxin by surface‐modified renewable biomass: process dynamics and application

BACKGROUND Contamination of food, feed, beverages and even drinking water with biotoxins is a growing global concern because of their potential health risks. In this work, surface‐modified sugar beet pulp waste was used for the biosorptive removal of zearalenone biotoxin from contaminated aquatic media. RESULTS Infrared, Boehm titration, BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area and point of zero charge analysis were employed for surface characterization. Kinetic and equilibrium studies showed that biotoxin biosorption was well predicted by the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. Zearalenone was removed from the solution over a wide pH range (3.0–8.0) and within a short time (15 min). Maximum uptake capacity of modified biomass was recorded as 23.30 ± 0.17 g kg−1. Highest removal yield in a dynamic flow mode (94.56 ± 0.13%) was achieved at 2 mL min−1 flow rate using 30 mg biosorbent. Regeneration experiments revealed high reusability potential of suggested biosorbent. Moreover, its application potential was tested in spiked samples of malt, beer and canned corn liquid. CONCLUSION Detoxification potential of this renewable biomass was significantly enhanced after modification. Modified biomass could be used as an efficient and low‐cost green‐type material with good application potential for zearalenone detoxification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry