Impact of probiotics and β-glucan on the detoxification and gastrointestinal bioaccessibility of aflatoxin B1 in a cereal-based fermented beverage (boza)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus leichmannii as a probiotic bacteria, Saccharomyces boulardii as a yeast, and β-glucan as a prebiotic on the binding ability of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and its bioaccessibility in a cereal-based fermented beverage. For this purpose, nine study groups with their combinations were formed. The amount of unbound AFB1 was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after incubation and during the stomach, small intestine, and colon stages using an in vitro digestion model. After incubation, the highest percentage of AFB1 binding (27.79%) was obtained with S. boulardii. The lowest bioaccessibility was observed with L. leichmannii + S. boulardii at the stomach stage (41%), L. leichmannii + β-glucan at the small intestine stage (52%), and L. leichmannii + S. boulardii + β-glucan at the colon stage (35%). These findings suggest that probiotics and prebiotics reduce aflatoxin bioaccessibility, thereby limiting gastrointestinal absorption.