**3. Statistical Design**

Three independent variables, i.e., pH (*x*1), equilibrium time (*x*2) and temperature (*x*3), were evaluated for their effect on the response variables *y*1–*y*11, denoting the removal of DON, AB1, AB2, AG1, AG2, OTA, ZEA, HT-2, T-2 toxin, FB1 and FB2 respectively. These variables were selected for the study based on findings from literature and preliminary studies. A composite central design (CCD) with 20 experimental runs was employed to study the main and interaction effects of the variables on the mycotoxin removal. The range of values applied on the independent variable ranges studied were: pH 3–6, equilibrium time of 3–8 h and 30–50 ◦C temperature, all set at three levels for each variable, as illustrated in Table 4. The center point was replicated six times reproducibility [32].


**Table 4.** Levels of experimental variables established in accordance with central composite design (CCD).
