Research advances in the degradation of aflatoxin by lactic acid bacteria

• Published in: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases
• Main Authors: Yuxi Wang, Lishi Jiang, Ying Zhang, Ran Ran, Xiao Meng, Shukun Liu
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SciELO 2023
• Subjects: Aflatoxins; applications; biodegradation; lactic acid bacteria; mechanism; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Toxicology. Poisons; RA1190-1270; Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-9199-jvatitd-2023-0029; https://doaj.org/article/9b3e222600c54cd898f7a8618faeeda5

Abstract Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites that often contaminate food and animal feed, causing huge economic losses and serious health hazards. Aflatoxin contamination has become a major concern worldwide. Biological methods have been used to reduce aflatoxins in food and feed by inhibiting toxin production and detoxification. Among biological methods, lactic acid bacteria are of significant interest because of their safety, efficiency, and environmental friendliness. This study aimed to review the mechanisms by which lactic acid bacteria degrade aflatoxins and the factors that influence their degradation efficiency, including the action of the lactic acid bacteria themselves (cell wall adsorption) and the antifungal metabolites produced by the lactic acid bacteria. The current applications of lactic acid bacteria to food and feed were also reviewed. This comprehensive analysis provided insight into the binding mechanisms between lactic acid bacteria and aflatoxins, facilitating the practical applications of lactic acid bacteria to food and agriculture.