Montmorillonite introduction 

Montmorillonite also known as microcrystalline kaolinite, is a layered structure, flaky crystalline silicate clay mineral, which was originally found in France because of their Monte-named city. Without irritating effect, Montmorillonite has slight earthy smell, white or yellowish color and candle appearance burnish.

Chemical Structure:  Ex(H2O)4｛(Al2-x,Mgx)2［(Si,Al)4O10］(OH)2｝

Here E is the exchangeable cationic type between layer, mainly including Na+, Ca2+ and also K+, Li+, etc.. X is the layer charge of unit chemical formula when E is monovalent cation. It is usually between 0.2 and 0.6, with laminated-structure and irregular flaky crystal. Mohs hardness is 2～2.5, specific gravity is 2～2.7, and bulk density is 1-1.1g/mL. It has strong adsorptive power and ion exchange capacity.

Montmorillonite possess ion-exchange property, mainly such positive ion as Na+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Li+, H+, Al3+, etc. The exchange is invertible. In the medium whose pH value is 7, the exchange capacity of the positive ion is 70~140me/100g.
   
Montmorillonite has three kinds of water, which are free surface water, interlayer adsorbed water and lattice water. Montmorillonite is a strong-absorbent. It swelled after water absorption and the spacing of the undersurface of crystal lattice will increase. The crystal-axis CO can reach 1.84~2.14nm when it is in high degree of hydration. In water medium montmorillonite will disperse into colloidal state. Heating up montmorillonite, free water will soon be dehydrated. Adsorbed water will be dewatered at 100~200℃. And much lattice water will escape at 500℃.

Montmorillonite possesses electro-negativity, which has great influence on colloidal properties and rheological properties. Electro-negativity mainly come from three aspects: crystal electrostatic charge formed by crystal lattice replacement and inner compensated replacement with each unit cell being 0.66; electronegativity produced by broken key; electronegativity formed by dissociation of octahedral sheet. 

Montmorillonite is 2:1 silicate minerals containing crystal water's, which comprise two layer total of top connected silicon-oxygen tetrahedron clipping a layer of edges connected aluminum (magnesium) oxygen (OH) octahedral sheet. Al3+ in octahedral of pillars structure was replaced by Mg3+, Fe3+, Fe2+, etc., that results in octahedral distortion and then force the tetrahedral sheet to make rotation, elongation, contorted and other forms to adjust, until the bonds is broken, the polyhedron core cation is exposed, and different strength permanent negative charge between the layers is appeared. Accordingly negatively charged adsorption characteristics come into being.

This special micro-crystal structure determines that montmorillonite is highly dispersive, suspensible, swelling, cohesive, absorbable, cation exchangeable, etc. The result of Loran PRR of diffraction instrument shows that it is Natural-Nano.

Montmorillonite has very strong interlayer ion exchange, position and adsorption capacity, which can beamedly adsorb pathogenic bacteria with particle coding protein(CS31A) and the pathogenicity of the toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus toxin, Zearalenone, mold pathogens, and fixed them to lose their pathogenicity. Then the pathogenic bacteria is excreted with the peristalsis so as to avoid mucosal damage, repair the damaged bridge between the intestinal cells and inhibit the secretion of intestinal cells of excessive penetration to achieving the goal of Anti-diarrhea.

The structure of montmorillonite                                                                   The crystal structure of montmorillonite

Charge distribution of montmorillonite lamellar                The “sandwich” structure of montmorillonite

Functions of Montmorillonite

Montmorillonite has very strong interlayer ion exchange, position and adsorption capacity, which can oriented adsorb pathogenic bacteria with particle coding protein(CS31A) and the pathogenicity of the toxins produced by pathogenic bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus toxin, Zearalenone, mold pathogens, and fixed them to lose their pathogenicity. Then the pathogenic bacteria is excreted with the peristalsis so as to avoid mucosal damage.

After Purification, dispersion and modified process, end face of crystal of montmorillonite acquire rich positive charge, the surface of structure sheaf is still negative charge. So whole structural do main still keep bipolar charge characteristics, it can reduce pathologic damage of intestinal mucosa, repair the damaged bridge between the intestinal cells and inhibit the secretion of intestinal cells of excessive penetration to achieving the goal of Anti-diarrhea.

Soluble colloid with good gelling property(main elements: silicon, aluminum) can form a protective layer on the surface of intestinal mucosa, reduce stimulation to intestinal mucosa of pathogen or allergen, reduce the chance of  mucosal injury and intestinal wall thicker, it is good to the adsorption of nutriments.

Selectively adsorb harmful bacteria and mycotoxin

 Distributed with layer-line shape structure and non-uniformity electric charge, it has strong adsorption, fixation and restraining effect to virus, bug and their production of toxin and gas. And It has good adsorption in microbial secondary, such as aromatic compounds、ammonia、endotoxin. So It can maximum terminate the suppression of growth factors.

Protect and repair intestinal mucosa

Having strong protection and coverage ability to mucous membrane of the digestive tract, interacting mucus glycolproteins and increasing the cohesion of mucus gel, visco-elasticity and the presence of time, accordingly repairing and improving the defense function of intestinal mucosal barrier to various attacks factor, repairing the damaged bridge between the intestinal cells,making it close connection, ensure the digestion and adsorption of various nutriments.

Relieve immune suppression

Strongly adsorb harmful toxins in feed, such as aflatoxin, zearalenone, vomitoxin, T-2 toxin. Relieve immune suppression caused by mycotoxin, improve immune effect of vaccine, enhance immunity of animals.

Safe,Environmental,Natural

Selectively adsorb harmful bacteria and toxins, not interfering adsorption of other nutriments, safe、environmental、no withdrawal time、no side effects.

Through the national authority test, the adsorption properties of montmorillonite for mycotoxin

Comparison between montmorillonite products and Medicated premix