Detoxification of aflatoxin B1 by certain bacterial species isolated from Egyptian soil

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination of food and grain poses a serious economic and health problem worldwide. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is extremely mutagenic, toxic and a potent carcinogen to both humans and livestock. A safe, effective and environmentally sound detoxification method is needed for controlling this toxin. In this study, 21 soil samples were screened from various sources with vast microbial populations using a coumarin containing medium. Eleven bacterial isolates showing AFB1 reduction activity in a liquid culture medium were selected from the screening experiments. Isolate 12-3 and 12-5, obtained from soil samples of Kafr-Zaiat Pesticide company drainage and identified to be Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli, reduced AFB1 by 69.3% and 58.8%, respectively, after incubation in the liquid medium at 37 °C for 72 h. The culture supernatant of these isolates was able to reduce AFB1 effectively by 76.2% and 62.5%, respectively, whereas the viable cells and cell extracts were far less effective. Factors influencing AFB1 detoxification by the culture supernatant were investigated. The highest detoxification activity for P. putida and E. coli was 83.3% and 63.8%, respectively, at pH 8 and 30 °C for 72 h. The detoxification activity was reduced at 10, 20 and 45 °C. The Mg2+, Mn2+, Se and Cu2+ ions were activators for AFB1 detoxification. However, Zn2+ ion was a strong inhibitor. Treatments with proteinase K, proteinase K plus SDS and heating significantly reduced or eradicated the detoxification activity of the culture supernatant. In conclusion, the detoxification of AFB1 by P. putida 12-3 was enzymatic and the enzymes responsible for the detoxification of AFB1 are constitutively extracellular produced. Also, the AFB1 detoxification by E. coli was conducted by enzymes as well as by cell wall binding mechanism. Both bacteria could have great potential in industrial applications.