The incorporation of bentonites in aflatoxin-contaminated animal feeds to remedy aflatoxicosis has been tested widely in animal trials. Yet, a large variation in efficacy among samples has been observed which has been attributed to variations in the properties of the clay mineral adsorbents. The objectives of the current study were: (1) to evaluate the mineral and chemical composition of two selected bentonites to find minerals or elements which are potentially of concern; (2) to characterize the aflatoxin B₁ (AfB₁) adsorption (selectivity, capacity, reversibility, and interlayer accessibility) by the bentonites; and (3) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of selected clays as amendments of aflatoxin-contaminated feed for broiler chickens. The mineral, chemical, and exchange cation composition of the clays were analyzed, and they appeared to be safe for use in feed. The bentonites and their fractions showed that adsorption capacities range from 0.48 to 0.97 mol/kg. The interlayer spaces of both montmorillonites were accessible by AfB_1, and the adsorption was irreversible. Three-day old broiler chickens were given clean and high-aflatoxin-concentration (1400 mg/kg) diets with and without the presence of the two bentonites. After three weeks the chickens were sacrificed and biomarkers were evaluated. The presence of aflatoxins reduced the body weight by 58% and resulted in a 25% mortality rate. Adding bentonites 1TX and 4TX increased the body weight of the chickens by 14 and 23%, respectively, but did not improve the mortality rates. The results suggested that selected bentonites could effectively sequester aflatoxins in vivo but did not eliminate the total toxicity present in highly contaminated poultry feed.

在动物试验中广泛测试了在受黄曲霉毒素污染的动物饲料中加入膨润土来治疗黄曲霉毒素中毒。然而，已经观察到样品之间的功效存在很大差异，这归因于粘土矿物吸附剂性质的变化。当前研究的目标是：（1）评估两种选定膨润土的矿物和化学成分，以找到可能引起关注的矿物或元素；(2)表征黄曲霉毒素B ₁ (AfB ₁) 膨润土的吸附（选择性、容量、可逆性和层间可及性）；(3) 评估选定粘土作为肉鸡黄曲霉毒素污染饲料改良剂的安全性和有效性。分析了粘土的矿物、化学和交换阳离子组成，它们似乎可以安全地用于饲料。膨润土及其馏分的吸附能力范围为 0.48 至 0.97 mol/kg。AfB _{1 可以进入两种蒙脱石的层间空间，}并且吸附是不可逆的。三天大的肉鸡饲喂干净的高浓度黄曲霉毒素（1400 mg/kg）日粮，添加和不添加两种膨润土。三周后，将鸡处死并评估生物标志物。黄曲霉毒素的存在使体重减少了 58%，死亡率为 25%。添加膨润土 1TX 和 4TX 使鸡的体重分别增加了 14% 和 23%，但并没有提高死亡率。结果表明，选定的膨润土可以有效地在体内隔离黄曲霉毒素，但不能消除高度污染的家禽饲料中存在的总毒性。