Ability of Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 to mitigate aflatoxins (B1 and M1) immunotoxicities in mice

Aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) and M-1 (AFM(1)) are mycotoxins produced by numerous Aspergillus species in pre-or post-harvest cereals and milk. AFB(1) and AFM(1) display a potent economic loss in livestock and also cause severe immunological problems. The aims of this study were to: evaluate a new AFB(1) and AFM(1)-binding/degrading micro-organism for biological detoxification; examine its ability to degrade AFB(1) and AFM(1) in liquid medium; and evaluate its potential for in vivo preventative effects against AFB(1)-and AFM(1)-induced immunomodulation in mice. Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 (LP) isolated from Tunisian artisanal butter was found to display significant binding ability to AFB(1) and AFM(1) in PBS (i.e. 82% and 89%, respectively) within 24 h of incubation and able to tolerate gastric acidity, have strongly hydrophilic cells surface properties, and adhere efficacy to Caco-3 cells in vitro. The in vivo study was conducted using Balb/c mice that received by oral gavage vehicle (control), LP only (2 x 10(9) CFU/L, similar to 2 g/kg BW), AFB(1) or AFM(1) alone (0.25 and 0.27 mg/kg, respectively), or AFB(1) + LP or AFM(1) + LP daily for 15 days. Compared to in control mice, treatments with AFB(1) and AFM(1) led to significantly decreased body weight gains, histopathological changes, and decrements in all hematologic and immune parameters assessed. Co-treatment with LP strongly reduced the adverse effects of each mycotoxin. In fact, the mice receiving AFB(1) + LP or AFM(1) + LP co-treatment displayed no significant differences in the assayed parameters as compared to the control mice. By itself, the bacteria alone had no adverse effects in the mice. From these data, it is concluded that the tested bacteria could be beneficial in biotechnology detoxification of contaminated food and feed for humans and animals.