In vitro ability of nonviable cells of lactic acid bacteria strains in combination with sorbitan monostearate to bind to aflatoxin M1 in skimmed milk.

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro ability of heat-killed (HK) and acid-killed (AK) cells from three commercial strains of lactic acid bacteria, alone or in combination with sorbitan monostearate (SM), to bind to aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1) in skimmed milk at concentrations of 0.05, 0.2 and 0.5 ng mL−1. The stability of the AFM 1 -bacterial cell bonds and the cell wall and exopolysaccharides (EPS) contribution to AFM 1 decontamination were also investigated. Compared with HK cells, AK cells exhibited higher binding capacities in milk containing the highest AFM 1 level, with maximum removal of 81.4, 56.8, and 50.8% by Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris , Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (formerly Lactobacillus rhamnosus), and L. lactis ssp. lactis at 1010 cells mL−1, respectively. The combination of HK cells with SM increased the AFM 1 binding capacity, although no effect was found regarding AK cells. SM treatment also enhanced the stability of the AFM 1 bond formed with both HK and AK cells. Cell wall isolates and EPS were the major components involved in the AFM 1 binding process. Combining SM with HK cells is an interesting approach to reduce AFM 1 levels in milk, although further studies are needed to optimize the adsorbing process. [Display omitted] • Heat-killed (HK) and acid-killed (AK) LAB capacities to adsorb AFM 1 in skimmed milk. • Higher AFM 1 adsorption percentages (50.8–81.4%) by AK cells. • HK cells combined with sorbitan monoesterase (SM) had increased AFM 1 bind capacity. • SM increased the stability of the AFM 1 – bacterial cell complex. • Exopolysaccharides were the major components involved in the AFM 1 binding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]