The Effect of Probiotic Bacteria on Aflatoxin M1 Detoxification

Abstract

Aflatoxins are strong mycotoxins with mutagenic, carcinogenic, hepatotoxic and immunosuppressive properties that can cause harmful effects on animal and human health. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is also a potent toxic compound frequently found in milk and dairy products.A high AFM1 incidence in milk and milk products creates an important public health risk due to the fact that milk and milk products are consumed widely by all age groups. Since physical and chemical methods that are used to deactivate aflatoxin are not effective enough, safe detoxification methods are needed. Probiotic bacteria which are known as beneficial microorganisms show a potential for biological control. In literature, several studieshave reported that probiotic bacteria have detoxification ability through binding of AFM1. This review evaluates detoxification effects of probiotic bacteria on aflatoxin M1.