Magnetic rice husk-based biochar for removal of aflatoxin B1 from peanut oil

Aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) contamination in peanut oil can lead to serious food safety problems. Thus, the development of AFB 1 decontamination technology is an urgent and necessary matter. Herein, a renewable and effective biomass-derived adsorbent, namely magnetic rice husk-based biochar (MRHB), was prepared and successfully used for the removal of AFB 1 from peanut oil. The adsorption conditions, adsorption mechanism, reusability and cytotoxicity of MRHB were systematically studied. The results revealed that the adsorption characteristic of MRHB followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm models, and was a spontaneous and endothermic process. Due to the synergism of carbon and silica active sites, the maximum adsorption capacity of MRHB was as high as 951.1 μg/g, and over 95% of AFB 1 could be removed from peanut oil. Additionally, MRHB showed negligible cytotoxicity and negative effects on the nutritional quality of the oil. Thus, this low cost, high-efficiency, and high-safety MRHB with magnetic separation capacity is a promising adsorbent that can be used for the removal of AFB 1 from oils.