NovaSil clay for the protection of humans and animals from aflatoxins and other contaminants

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination of diets results in disease and death in humans and animals. The objective of the present paper was to review the development of innovative enterosorption strategies for the detoxification of aflatoxins. NovaSil clay (NS) has been shown to decrease exposures to aflatoxins and prevent aflatoxicosis in a variety of animals when included in their diets. Results have shown that NS clay binds aflatoxins with high affinity and high capacity in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a notable reduction in the bioavailability of these toxins without interfering with the utilization of vitamins and other micronutrients. This strategy is already being utilized as a potential remedy for acute aflatoxicosis in animals, and as a sustainable intervention via diet. Animal and human studies have confirmed the apparent safety of NS and refined NS clay (with uniform particle size). Studies in Ghanaians at high risk of aflatoxicosis have indicated that NS (at a dose level of 0.25% w/w) is effective at decreasing biomarkers of aflatoxin exposure and does not interfere with levels of serum vitamins A and E, or iron or zinc. A new spinoff of this strategy is the development and use of broad-acting sorbents for the mitigation of environmental chemicals and microbes during natural disasters and emergencies. In summary, enterosorption strategies/therapies based on NS clay are promising for the management of aflatoxins and as sustainable public health interventions. The NS clay remedy is novel, inexpensive, and easily disseminated.

Keywords: ACCS100; Aflatoxin Sequestrant; Aflatoxin binder; Aflatoxin enterosorbent; Aflatoxins; Calcium Montmorillonite; Geophagy; HSCAS; Interceptor Molecules; NovaSil Clay; UPSN.

Figure 1.

Chemical structures of the four naturally occurring aflatoxins: B1, B2, G1, and G2.

Figure 2.

Spatial model of the aflatoxin B1 showing the furan rings connected to a coumarin ring with a cyclopentenone ring to the right. The outer furan ring is kinked in the cis configuration away from the planar structure.

Figure 3.

Metabolism of aflatoxin B1 by phase I and phase II enzymes. Phase I enzymes include CYP3A4 and 1A2. Biomarkers are highlighted in blood (white box) and urine (gray box) (after Wild and Turner, 2002).