In Vitro Evaluation of Aflatoxin B1 Detoxification by Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Bacillus Strains

Biologically based detoxification strategies are increasingly being explored as alternatives to conventional methods for the removal of toxic contaminants in food products. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is one of the most potent mycotoxins due to its high toxicity, genotoxicity, and persistence in the human body once ingested. In this study, the detoxification potential of bacterial strains belonging to the genera Lactobacillus/Pediococcus (n = 10) and Bacillus (n = 10) was evaluated using extracts from naturally contaminated corn flour. Detoxification was assessed after incubation for 12, 24, and 48 h in specific culture media. AFB1 quantification and metabolite profiling were performed at each time point using Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). The highest detoxification rates were observed with Lactobacillus curvatus 14 (L. curvatus 14) (41.1 ± 19.3%) and Pediococcus pentosaceus 4 (P. pentosaceus 4) (25.4 ± 11.3%) after 48 h, and Bacillus firmus 6 (B. firmus 6) (25.1 ± 12.9%) after 24 h. An in vitro digestion model was also applied to assess detoxification under gastrointestinal conditions. Results showed substantial AFB1 reduction at the colonic stage, reaching 72.26 ± 7.54% for P. pentosaceus 4 and 69.67 ± 9.70% for L. curvatus 14. These findings underscore the potential application of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Bacillus strains in biological detoxification strategies to reduce dietary exposure to AFB1.