Harnessing the adsorption efficiency of chitosan nanoparticles and its hybrid nanocomposites against aflatoxin B1 in simulated poultry gut conditions.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi, primarily on cereal crops. Among them, aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) is the most dangerous, with carcinogenic, toxigenic and mutagenic effects that pose serious risk to birds and humans. Previously, various control strategies have been used to control aflatoxicosis but there is need to use common alternative strategies to reduce the impact of aflatoxicosis. Therefore, the present study has been planned to check the binding efficiency of different binders such as chitosan, glucomannan and bentonite in nanomaterials and nanocomposites form in in-vitro medium to aid in adsorption of aflatoxins. Initially, the chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NP) and chitosan based nanocomposites, including glucomannan-loaded (GM-CSNP) and bentonite-loaded (BN-CSNP) were prepared and characterized for their morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta sizing, poly dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). An in-vitro gastrointestinal model for poultry was designed to assess the efficacy of three adsorbents (CS-NP, GM-CSNP and BN-CSNP) against AFB1. The model simulated two distinct pH conditions: the gizzard and proventriculus (pH 3.3) and the small intestine (pH 6.6). These adsorbents were tested at three different doses (10, 15 and 20 mg) for 100 ppb AFB1. Similarly, for 200 ppb AFB1 two concentrations of adsorbents 25 and 30 mg were used. Results of in-vitro experiments showed that all three nanomaterials (CS-NP, GM-CSNP and BN-CSNP) have binding with the AFB1. The highest binding of each binder in nanoforms was noted at pH 6.6. Maximum binding up to 98 % of each nanomaterial was observed at dose rate of 30 mg. Among all the candidate binders BN-CSNP revealed highest binding with AFB1 followed by GM-CSNP and BN-CSNP. This study introduce an innovative nano approach, demonstrating how chitosan and its hybrid nanocomposites can enhance aflatoxins detoxification efficiency through improved binding affinity and stability in gastrointestinal medium.