Biotransformation of Aflatoxin

Abstract

Abstract Food grade fungi were screened for their capacity to degrade aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in order to develop a biological detoxification process for contaminated feeds. An agar technique based on defluorescence of AFB1 was used for this purpose. Good correlations were observed between defluorescent capacity, AFB1 elimination and reduction of mutagenicity. Although not identified in these food grade fungi as yet, enzymatic studies performed separately with Aspergillus flavus indicated the possible involvement of monooxygenase enzyme systems in AFB1 degradation.