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

Abstract

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and M₁ (AFM₁) are mycotoxins produced by numerous Aspergillus species in pre- or post-harvest cereals and milk. AFB₁ and AFM₁ display a potent economic loss in livestock and also cause severe immunological problems. The aims of this study were to: evaluate a new AFB₁ and AFM₁-binding/degrading micro-organism for biological detoxification; examine its ability to degrade AFB₁ and AFM₁ in liquid medium; and evaluate its potential for in vivo preventative effects against AFB₁- and AFM₁-induced immunomodulation in mice. Lactobacillus plantarum MON03 (LP) isolated from Tunisian artisanal butter was found to display significant binding ability to AFB₁ and AFM₁ 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 × 10⁹ CFU/L, ∼2 g/kg BW), AFB₁ or AFM₁ alone (0.25 and 0.27 mg/kg, respectively), or AFB₁ + LP or AFM₁ + LP daily for 15 days. Compared to in control mice, treatments with AFB₁ and AFM₁ 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 AFB₁ + LP or AFM₁ + 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.

• Aflatoxin B₁
• aflatoxin M₁
• Lactobacillus
• immunotoxicity
• binding
• detoxification

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

The work was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (Unit of Immunology, Environmental Microbiology, and Cancerology) and the Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja (Animal Biotechnology Department).