Binding of Zearalenone, Aflatoxin B1, and Ochratoxin A by Yeast-Based Products: A Method for Quantification of Adsorption Performance

A methodology was developed to quantify the efficiency of yeast-based products for adsorption of three mycotoxins: zearalenone (ZEA), aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)), and ochratoxin A (OTA). Eight products were tested (yeast cell wall or inactivated yeast). The described experimental protocol based on in vitro tests provided reliable isotherms for each mycotoxin. The most suitable models were the Hill model for ZEA, the Langmuir model for AFB(1), and the Freundlich model for OTA. From these models, original mathematical affinity criteria were defined to quantify the product adsorption performances for each mycotoxin. The best yeast product, a yeast cell wall from baker's yeast, can adsorb up to 68% of ZEA, 29% of AFB(1), and 62% of OTA, depending on the mycotoxin concentrations. The adsorption capacity largely depended both on yeast composition and mycotoxin, but no direct correlation between yeast composition and adsorption capacity was found, confirming that adsorption of mycotoxin on yeast-based products involves complex phenomena. The results of this study are useful for comparing the adsorption efficiency of various yeast products and understanding the mechanisms involved in adsorption.