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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fayetteville, Arkansas » Poultry Production and Product Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315391
Title: Efficacy of probiotic bacteria in reducing Aspergillus parasiticus aflatoxin production and hepatic cytotoxicity in vitro

Author
item YIN, HSIN-BAI - University Of Connecticut
item CHEN, CHI-HUNG - University Of Connecticut
item DARRE, MICHAEL - University Of Connecticut
item Donoghue, Ann - Annie
item DONOGHUE, DAN - University Of Arkansas
item VENKITANARAYANAN, KUMAR - University Of Connecticut

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/26/2015
Publication Date: 7/27/2015
Citation: Yin, H., Chen, C., Darre, M.J., Donoghue, A.M., Donoghue, D.J., Venkitanarayanan, K. 2015. Efficacy of probiotic bacteria in reducing Aspergillus parasiticus aflatoxin production and hepatic cytotoxicity in vitro. [abstract]. Poult. Sci. 94:142-143(E-Suppl. 1).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aspergillus parasiticus produces highly hepatocarcinogenic aflatoxins (AF) in grains, which are used as poultry feed ingredients. Contamination of poultry feed with AF is a major concern to the poultry industry due to serious economic losses stemming from poor performance and diminished egg hatchability. In addition, AF poses a threat to human health due to their potential presence as residues in meat and egg. This study investigated the efficacy of cell-free supernatants of three probiotic bacteria, namely Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum in reducing AF production and AF-induced cytotoxicity on HepG2 human hepatocytes by two strains of A. parasiticus. Additionally, the effect of cell-free supernatants on the expression of AF synthesis genes (aflB, aflC, aflS, nor1, norA, and ver1) in the mold was determined using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Each strain of A. parasiticus was separately cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB, ~5 log CFU/ml) with or without sub-inhibitory concentration (SIC, concentration not inhibiting fungal growth) of probiotic supernatants at 25% for 5 days. The AF concentration in PDB was determined on day 5 of incubation using a standard ELISA protocol. The effect of probiotic supernatants on AF-induced hepatotoxicity on HepG2 cells was studied by determining cell membrane integrity. All experiments had duplicate samples and were replicated three times. Probiotic supernatants decreased AF production by at least 70% in both A. parasiticus strains compared to control (P<0.05), and reduced AF-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells (P<0.05). Moreover, probiotic supernatants down-regulated the expression of major A. parasiticus genes associated with AF synthesis (P<0.05). Results suggest that probiotic supernatants could potentially be used as supplements to reduce A. parasiticus virulence; however, in vivo studies are necessary to validate these results. Funded in part by the USDA-NIFA-OREI 2011-01955.