Research progress on the raw and modified montmorillonites as adsorbents for mycotoxins: A review

Mycotoxin, as one of the most common pollutants in animal feeds, is harmful and widespread, which has severely restricted the healthy development of livestock and feed industries. Therefore, to remove mycotoxins from animal feeds is becoming an intractable problem. Currently, naturally occurred clay minerals, especially montmorillonite (Mt), have been considered as promising adsorbents for high-efficient removal of toxic mycotoxins from animal feeds because they are eco-friendly, low-cost, and highly efficient for adsorption of mycotoxin. It is important to timely summary the latest researches, which helps the followers to develop or exploit other new adsorbents for mycotoxins. Thus, this review intensively summarized the latest research progress on raw Mt and the modified ones as adsorbents for mycotoxins, and especially on the adsorption mechanism. In addition, the future applications of Mt as adsorbents for removal of mycotoxins were discussed.