February 2021
Citation: Wang M, Orr AA, Jakubowski JM, Bird KE, Casey CM, Hearon SE, Tamamis P, Phillips TD. Enhanced adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by edible, nutrient-amended montmorillonite clays. Water Res 188:116534, 2021.
Humans and animals can be exposed to mixtures of chemicals from food and water, especially during disasters such as hurricanes and floods that can mobilize toxic soil and sediments containing harmful chemicals. To address this problem in food, feed and water, Project 2 developed broad-acting, clay-based enterosorbents that can reduce exposures when included in the diet. Several recent publications from Project 2 demonstrated the development and application of these broad-acting clays that can bind a wide range of environmental contaminants (Wang et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020; Orr et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2017). Based on these studies, a patent application was filed on August 2019 by the Office of Technology Transfer at Texas A&M University (No. PCT US 19-47356), title: Development of porous and broad-acting enterosorbent materials that can be used to mitigate acute exposure to mixtures of hazardous toxins in food and feed following outbreaks, natural disasters, and emergencies. Based on this impactful work, a worldwide exclusive license has been awarded by Texas A&M University to TESI, Inc. (Bastrop, TX) for further development of this technology.