An in vitro investigation of aflatoxin B1 biological control by Lactobacillus plantarum

This study assessed the binding of Aflatoxin B1 (AFBI) from contaminated solution by Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC 1058. This strain and AFB1 was incubated (1, 24, 48, 90 h at 37 degrees C) and the amount of unbound AFB1 was quantities by HPLC. The concentration of AFB1 in solution was 0.5 ppm. The stabilities of the bacteria/AFB1 complexes were evaluated by determining the amount of AFB1 remaining bound following three washes. Effect of Incubation time on AFB1 Binding on viable and dead cells were evaluated at 1, 24, 48, 72 and 90 h time points. In 1 h 45% and in 90 h 100% AFB1 was removed from solution by this strain. Autoclaved bacteria didn't remove AFB1 from solutions efficiently (31% in 1 h and 15% in 24 h). Bacteria in logarithmic growth phase retained 92% of the AFB1 initially bound after three washes. Bacterial binding of AFB1 by this strain was rapid and they were in logarithmic growth phase. These findings further support the ability of specific strains of lactic acid bacteria to bind selected dietary contaminants.