Comparative evaluation of biological, physical, and chemical approaches for the mitigation of sterigmatocystin: Mycotoxin of growing concern

Sterigmatocystin is a carcinogenic and genotoxic mycotoxin that remains a significant health risk to human and
animal populations. The present study examined three different methods (biological, physical, and chemical) for
STC removal. The nanolignin indicated 81.76 ± 3.94 % removal of STC, with a reaction rate of 4.0 × 10− 5 min− 1.
In the chemical-induced method, the application of gaseous ozone for effective removal and degradation of STC
was studied. Ozone treatment resulted in 84.12 ± 4.23 % degradation of STC with a half-life of 15.51 min. The
adsorption behaviour of lactic acid bacteria, in the biological method indicated a 79.75 ± 2.92 % removal of
STC. Kinetic parameters and isotherms were analysed followed by parameter optimization by response surface
methodology for maximum removal of STC. The requirement of less time and a relatively lower dose of ozone for
removal of STC indicates this method to be a potential option for the mitigation of the toxin.