Probiotic bacteria and yeasts adsorb aflatoxin M 1 in milk and degrade it to less toxic AFM 1 -metabolites

The presence of contaminants such as aflatoxins (AFs) in dairy products constitutes a serious risk to the health of consumers, especially children who are most sensitive to the adverse effects of AFs. The presence of Aflatoxin M (AFM ) in milk is a public health problem since dairy products are massively consumed worldwide. The aim of the present work was to select microorganisms capable of reducing AFM entry into the food chain through adsorption/degradation strategies. Moreover, the toxicity of AFM degradation products was evaluated. All tested strains had the capacity to adsorb 19%-61% AFM in milk. These strains also had the ability to degrade AFM into metabolites less toxic than the original toxin. Moreover, this is the first study to report harmless and probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus and Kluveromyces marxianus have the ability to adsorb and degrade AFM to less toxic metabolites in milk.