Aflatoxin B₁ Binding Abilities of Probiotic Bacteria

Abstract

The detoxification ability and toxin binding properties (ability and strength) of aflatoxin B₁ by six strains of probiotic bacteria were studied. The detoxification ability of the organisms ranged between 20-50%. About 60-80% of the bound aflatoxin was removed when washed with water, and only 10-40% of the toxin was strongly bound to the bacterial cells. Among the organisms studied, Bifidobacterium infantis 1912 demonstrated a significantly higher aflatoxin binding ability than the other strains, while Bifidobacterium pseudolongum 20099 showed the least aflatoxin binding ability of about 10% of the added 50 ng of aflatoxin B₁. Bifidobacterium bifidum 1 showed the least aflatoxin B₁ binding strength during the 180 min treatment.