Binding of Aflatoxin G1, G2 and B2 by Probiotic Lactobacillus spp.

The ability of ten probiotic bacteria to bind a common food carcinogen aflatoxin $G_1$,$G_2$ and $B_2$ was assessed. The strains were incubated in vitro with aflatoxins and the toxin residues in the supernatant were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. The aflatoxin $G_1$ binding capacity of the strains was found to strain dependent, most efficient binding of AF$G_1$ was observed by L. acidophilus CU028 and L. brevis CU06 which bound approximately 50%. L. acidophilus CU028 was capable of bind approximately 67% of AF$G_2$, difference in their binding ability showed statistical significance (p>0.05). L. acidophilus CU028 and L. helveticus CU 631 were the best binders and the strains were observed to possess variable AF$B_2$-binding ability in the range was from 38.0% to 55.9%. Lactobacillus acidophilus CU028 was the best common binders of the three types of food carcinogen aflatoxins. The application of binding phenomenon in the removal of mycotoxins from contaminated feeds is urgently needed to improve the safety of feeds.