Mycotoxin removal ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus CIP 76.13 and L. brevis CIP 102806t isolated from humans

Objective: Mycotoxins are harmful secondary metabolites produced by fungi which contaminate a wide range of food and feed.. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) show a promising potential to degrade mycotoxins thus reducing their bioavailability in human and animal gastrointestinal systems. This study was aimed to investigate the ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus CIP 76.13 and L. brevis CIP 102806T, isolated from humans, in reducing AFB1, OTA, ZEA, FB1 and DON in order to be used as functional starter for feed and food industry. Methods: Mycotoxin removal by viable and heat-inactivated cells was evaluated at 37°C for 24h in PBS containing 1 ?g/mL of each mycotoxin. Mycotoxins were analysed by UHPLC-FLD/PDA methods. Technological and probiotic properties (proteolysis, lipolysis, and acidic tolerance at pH 3, 5, 7) were also studied. Antagonistic activity of each bacteria was evaluated by Burkholder agar diffusion assay against food borne pathogens. Results: Viable cells of CIP 76.13 reduced ZEA, FB1 and DON by 57±2%, 36±7% and 31±3%, respectively, while CIP 102806T reduced ZEA by 100%. Percentage removal from heat inactivated cells were significantly lower (9±4% for FB1 and DON, and 28±10% for ZEA, on average). Both strains survived at pH 3, 5 and 7 for 24 h in PBS, and were lipolytic and proteolytic towards milk proteins. In addition, CIP 102806T showed antagonistic activity against S. aureus and L. monocytogenes strains. Conclusions: These results reveal the potential use and broader application of L. acidophilus CIP 76.13 and L. brevis CIP 102806T for mycotoxin reduction in food and feed industry.