Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) naturally co-occur in several foods, but no studies have followed the fate of mycotoxins’ interactions along the gastrointestinal tract using in vitro digestion models. This study used a novel semi-dynamic model that mimics gradual acidification and gastric emptying, coupled with a static colonic fermentation phase, in order to monitor mycotoxins’ bioaccessibility by the oral route. AFB1 and OTA bioaccessibility patterns differed in single or co-exposed scenarios. When co-exposed (MIX meal), AFB1 bioaccessibility at the intestinal level increased by ~16%, while OTA bioaccessibility decreased by ~20%. Additionally, a significant increase was observed in both intestinal cell viability and NO production. With regard to mycotoxin–probiotic interactions, the MIX meal showed a null effect on Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strain growth, while isolated AFB1 reduced bacterial growth parameters. These results were confirmed at phylum and family levels using a gut microbiota approach. After colonic fermentation, the fecal supernatant did not trigger the NF-kB activation pathway, indicating reduced toxicity of mycotoxins. In conclusion, if single exposed, AFB1 will have a significant impact on intestinal viability and probiotic growth, while OTA will mostly trigger NO production; in a co-exposure situation, both intestinal viability and inflammation will be affected, but the impact on probiotic growth will be neglected.
Highlights
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are prevalent mycotoxins found in a wide range of food products, including cereals and dairy products [2,3,4]
The final intestinal bioaccessibility of AFB1 or OTA was affected by the presence of the other mycotoxin, increasing AFB1 release and reducing OTA’s
These interactions have already been reported between OTA and patulin during digestion, increasing their bioaccessibility compared to their single-exposure situation [5]
Summary
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are mycotoxins with recognized human toxicity, being classified as carcinogenic (group 1) and possibly carcinogenic (group 2B) to humans, respectively, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) [1]. AFB1 and OTA are prevalent mycotoxins found in a wide range of food products, including cereals and dairy products [2,3,4]. As these two mycotoxins co-occur naturally in several foods [5,6,7] and as meals combine food products with distinct origins, multiple-mycotoxin contamination is a real situation.
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