BACKGROUND: Yeasts are microorganisms that have the ability to absorb aflatoxins. Objectives: The effect of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (PTCC 5177) on aflatoxin B1 detoxification and absorption of toxin in in vitro (the cow rumen) was investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, the yeast used in various treatments (live-treated, autoclave, heat-treated, treated with acid  100 °C) was prepared and added to the rumen of cattle. Aflatoxin B1 in different doses (0, 5, 10, 20) ppb in the rumen were added and were incubated at 37°C for one and two hours. The amount of toxin residues was measured by ELISA using Europroxima kits. RESULTS: The results showed that microorganisms that have been treated in an autoclave have the highest amount of toxin removal (90.5%) (p<0.05). Also, with increases in the incubation time, the amount of toxin absorbed significantly increased (78%) (p<0.05) and with increasing concentrations of toxin in vitro the yeast’s ability to absorb toxin increases. These results demonstrate  that the major toxin is absorbed by the yeast cell wall and therefore non-living microorganisms shown an ability to absorb higher. This is because the composition of the yeast cell wall mannoprotein that are effective at absorb in toxin. CONCLUSIONS: As a strategy for the animal feed industry the use of glycomannan yeast cell wall can be useful for reducing aflatoxin B1.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary toxic metabolite produced by some Aspergillus species, particularly Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and A. parasiticus that contaminate feedstuffs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contamination of the concentrate and corn silage samples to toxigenic fungi and aflatoxin B1 in cattle farms of Yazd province in Iran. METHODS: A total of 80 samples of concentrated feeds and 80 samples of silage feeds were collected from cattle breeding farms of 4 cities in Yazd province in winter and spring seasons (40 samples in each season and one sample from each cattle farm). The samples were cultured on mycological media in order to isolate and determine the amount of the toxigenic fungi. Concurrently, the content of AFB1 was measured in feedstuff samples using ELISA technique. RESULTS: The results indicated that the most frequent fungi isolated were Aspergillus spp. (49.3%), Penicillium spp. (23%), Mucor spp. (22.3%) and Fusarium spp. (4.8%) in winter and Aspergillus spp. (46.9%), Penicillium spp. (21.8%), Mucor spp. (28.5%) and Fusarium spp. (2.8%) in spring from all understudy feedstuffs. The mean of AFB1 in feedstuffs were 0.25 and 0.21 µg/kg in winter and spring, respectively. According to statistical analysis of the results, significant differences were observed between the frequency of Aspergillus isolates and other fungal species (p<0.05) and also between toxigenic fungi, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium, with other isolated fungi (p<0.05). Among toxigenic fungi, significant differences were observed between Aspergillus and Penicillium species, Aspergillus and Fusarium species and Penicillium and Fusarium species (p<0.05). Significant relationship was observed between the amount of toxigenic fungi and AFB1 in feedstuffs (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained by this study show that rapid and specific detection of aflatoxigenic fungi is essential to ensure the mycological safety of animal feedstuffs.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites due to the growth of molds in animal feed. Lactic acid bacteria are microorganisms that can absorb aflatoxins. Objectives: the effect of the yeast Lactobacillus rhamnosus (PTCC 1637) on Aflatoxin B1 detoxification and absorption of toxin in in vitro (the cow rumen) was investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, the bacteria used in various treatments (live-treated, autoclave, heat-treated, treated with acid 100ºC) was prepared and added to the rumen of cattle. Aflatoxin B1 in different doses (0, 5, 10, 20) ppb in the rumen were added and at times one and two hours were incubated at 37°C. The amount of toxin residues was measured by ELISA using Europroxima kits. RESULTS: The results showed that microorganisms have been treated in an autoclave have the largest amount toxin removal (90.5 percent) (p<0.05). Also with increases the incubation time, the amount of toxin absorbed significantly (78%) increased (p<0.05) and with increasing concentrations of toxin in vitro the bacteria’s ability to absorb toxin increases. Conclusions: As a solution to the livestock feed industry bacterial cell wall or its compounds can be helpful in reducing Aflatoxin B1 toxin.

Background: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and are an important factor in oxidative damage to the kidney and liver. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric extract and/or sodium bentonite against renal and hepatic damage induced by aflatoxin B1. METHODS: In this experiment that lasted for four weeks 64 male Wistar rats randomly assigned to eight groups containing: control, aflatoxin (AF), turmeric extract (TE), sodium bentonit (SB), TE+SE, AF+TE, AF+SB, AF+(TE+SB). At the end of experiment blood samples were taken from heart and some biochemical analysis has been performed. RESULTS: In the AF group, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and creatinine (P<0.05) significantly increased and uric acid numerically increased (P=0.056) compare to control group. Treatment of AF contaminated group with TE or SB alone remarkably decreased the levels of ALT, ALP, creatinine and uric acid. TE and SB in normal rats had no significant effect on the levels of liver enzyme compare to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present research, it seems that TE and SB alone decrease the harmful effects of Aflatoxin B1 and the combination of them has a potentiating effect.Key words: Aflatoxin B1, Turmeric Extract, Sodium Bentonite, blood parameters, rats

Global aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities is of the most concern in food safety and quality. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of 80% methanolic leaf extract of Annona senegalensis against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced toxicity in rats. A. senegalensis has shown to inhibit genotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in vitro. The rats were divided into six groups including untreated control, aflatoxin B1 only (negative control); curcumin (positive control; 10 mg/kg); and three groups receiving different doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg) of A. senegalensis extract. The rats received treatment (with the exception of untreated group) for 7 days prior to intoxication with aflatoxin B1. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine were measured. Hepatic tissues were analysed for histological alterations. Administration of A. senegalensis extract demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity in vivo by significantly reducing the level of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and regenerating the hepatocytes. No significant changes were observed in the levels of alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine for the AFB1 intoxicated group, curcumin+AFB1 and Annona senegalensis leaf extract (ASLE)+AFB1 (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg body weight [b.w.]) treated groups. Annona senegalensis is a good candidate for hepatoprotective agents and thus its use in traditional medicine may at least in part be justified. Contribution: The plant extract investigated in this study can be used in animal health to protect the organism from toxicity caused by mycotoxins.

A study was conducted to determine aflatoxins in tissues and non-tissues of 2 Holstein cows given oral doses of 0.35 mg of purified aflatoxin B1/kg of body weight/day for 3 consecutive days. Cow 1 was slaughtered 24 hours after the 3rd dose, and cow 2, after day 3, was fed aflatoxin-free rations for 7 additional days before slaughter. Tissue samples of brain, gallbladder and bile, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, mammary gland, skeletal muscle, spleen, supramammary lymph nodes, thymus, and tongue, and nontissue samples of blood, feces, milk, rumen content, and urine were examined. Aflatoxins B1 and M1 were found in all samples of cow 1, except the thymus. Kidney, liver, and mammary gland had the highest concentrations of total aflatoxins (57.9, 13.2, and 25.1 ng/g, respectively), with the aflatoxin M1 concentration 40 times more than the aflatoxin B1 level in kidney. Aflatoxin residues were present (0.02 to 0.11 ng/g) only in kidney, liver, and intestine of the tissues from cow 2 (fed aflatoxin-free feed for 7 additional days). Aflatoxin B1 was not present in nontissue samples, but aflatoxin M1 (0.10 and 1.5 ng/ml) was found in the last milk and urine samples from the same cow. Urine assays are a possible way to monitor the presence of aflatoxin residues in meat tissues.

Two of 3 groups of Holstein-Friesian steers (groups II and III; n = 5 each) were fed a ration containing corn naturally contaminated with 800 ng of aflatoxin/g. The other group of steers (group I; n = 5) was fed a ration containing noncontaminated corn. The respective rations were fed for 17.5 weeks, except the ration given to group III; the latter's first diet (contaminated with aflatoxin) was changed to a noncontaminated diet after 15 weeks, continuing for the remaining 2.5 weeks. All steers were killed and tissues and fluids were obtained for aflatoxin analysis. Although aflatoxin B1 and M1 could be detected in blood and urine at several sampling times during the experimental period in groups II and III steers (given the diets containing aflatoxin), there appeared to be no effects on body weight gains and immune phenomena, such as lymphoblastogenesis and antibody production, but there was a waning of the delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in steers given aflatoxin-contaminated diets. In group III animals (diet was changed to noncontaminated ration at 15 weeks), aflatoxin B1 and M1 disappeared from urine before they were slaughtered. All tissues and fluids, except the rumen contents from these group III steers, were void of detectable aflatoxins B1 and M1 at necropsy. The concentrations of aflatoxin B1 in the rumen content of the latter steers were low. All tissues collected at necropsy from the group II steers fed the aflatoxin diet throughout the 17.5 weeks had detectable aflatoxins B1 or M1 present.