Probiotic bacteria and yeasts adsorb aflatoxin M₁ in milk and degrade it to less toxic AFM₁-metabolites

The presence of contaminants such as aflatoxins (AFs) in dairy products constitutes a serious risk to the health of consumers, especially children who are most sensitive to the adverse effects of AFs. The presence of Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in milk is a public health problem since dairy products are massively consumed worldwide. The aim of the present work was to select microorganisms capable of reducing AFM₁ entry into the food chain through adsorption/degradation strategies. Moreover, the toxicity of AFM₁ degradation products was evaluated. All tested strains had the capacity to adsorb 19%-61% AFM₁ in milk. These strains also had the ability to degrade AFM₁ into metabolites less toxic than the original toxin. Moreover, this is the first study to report harmless and probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus and Kluveromyces marxianus have the ability to adsorb and degrade AFM₁ to less toxic metabolites in milk.