In Vitro Mycotoxin Decontamination by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains Isolated from Bovine Forage

Abstract

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Zearalenone (ZEN) are among the most common and important mycotoxin contaminants in agricultural products, with AFB1 comprising a liver carcinogen and ZEN responsible for reproductive dysfunctions. As mycotoxins are heat-stable, their removal is carried out mainly by anti-mycotoxin additives. This includes the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro detoxification of AFB1 and ZEN at pH 3 and 6 by three S. cerevisiae strains isolated from bovine forage, coded LL74, LL08, and LL83, determining the adsorption and biotransformation capacities of each strain. The yeast were freeze-dried and added, in triplicate, at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg mL−1 to a static gastrointestinal model. Final mycotoxin concentrations were determined by HPLC-FL. The evaluated strains exhibited high mycotoxin adsorption rates (20–55%), especially the LL08 strain, although low biotransformation, both equivalent to a commercial strain. The results indicate that pH does not interfere in AFB1 detoxification, while the use of 2.0 mg mL−1 of the LL83 S. cerevisiae strain led to higher ZEN adsorption at pH 3. The investigated strains indicate the possibility for use in in vivo conditions and high potential for commercial applications, with LL08 as the most promising strain.