Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate: A High Affinity Sorbent for Aflatoxin

Aluminas, silicas and aluminosilicates were evaluated for their ability to sorb radiolabeled aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from aqueous solution (in vitro). Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) was selected for testing in vivo due to its high affinity for AFB1, because of its stable association with AFB1, and its GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status as an anticaking agent. The HSCAS, when added to the diet of Leghorn and broiler chicks at a level of .5%, significantly diminished the adverse effects of feeding 7.5 mg AFB1/kg of feed. Thus, this agent (and other aluminosilicate congeners) may prove effective in the preventive management of aflatoxicosis.