In vitro evaluation of aflatoxin B1 adsorption by commercial products used in animal feed

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) adsorption capacity, in vitro, by commercial products used in animal feed. Many studies are being conducted for the decontamination of aflatoxins in feed. The commercial products destined to fish feed that are available as probiotics and are formed by strains of bacteria and yeasts used in most mycotoxins adsorption assays. Three commercial products were studied: A, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium and Lactobacillus acidophilus; B, consisting of dry yeast of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from brewery; and C, consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus. Five suspensions of the maximum dose recommended by the manufacturer of each product (0; 25; 50; 75 and 100%) were tested against AFB1 (1000 ng.mL-1) in microtubes to determine the adsorption capacity. To simulate the pH of the stomach and intestine of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), phosphate buffered saline solutions (PBS) at pH 1.5 and 7.5, respectively, were formulated. Microtubes were introduced into a centrifuge with mechanical agitation at 37ºC for 1 h and then centrifuged for 10 min at 14.000 rpm; the supernatants were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The commercial products in the maximum concentration were capable of adsorbing AFB1 in amounts from 45.01 to 129.59; from 123.90 to 215.59; and from 209.98 to 370.73 (ng.mL-1), respectively. It was concluded that all commercial products, which are added to animal feed, adsorbed AFB1 under simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions and are potential candidates for AFB1 adsorption for future in vivo studies.