Application of Kefir probiotics strains as aflatoxin B1 binder in culture medium, milk and simulated gastrointestinal conditions

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination in food poses serious problems both for economic development and public health protection, thus leading to a focus on an effective approach to control it. In this context, probiotics strains (Lactobacillus kefiri KFLM3, Kazachstania servazzii KFGY7 and Acetobacter syzygii KFGM1) isolated from a Kefir culture were assessed for their AFB1 adsorption ability. The adsorption experiments were done in culture medium and in milk. The stability of microorganism/AFB1 complexes was evaluated using buffer solutions (pH=3, pH=7 and pH=8) to simulate the pH conditions in the gastrointestinal tract. Our results showed that strains binding assays for AFB1 in culture medium showed no effect (0%). However, the strain L. kefiri KFLM3 was the most active, adsorbing 80 % of AFB1 when cultivated in milk followed by A. syzygii KFGM1 (74%) and K. servazzii KFGY7 (65%). Nonetheless, the strain K. servazzii KFGY7 retained more AFB1 after the desorption experiments (65%). The present findings suggest that kefir isolated strains might be a promising candidate for exploitation in AFB1 detoxification in food and feed matrices.