Lactic acid bacteria and mycotoxins

However, while some reports have indeed described the nature of the active LAB metabolites, the great majority of them have only described the inhibitory effect on mold growth. Taking the research one step further toward the effect of these active compounds on toxin production by the molds is critical. This would help in nnder-standing the complex interactions between different metabolites that result in the antifungal effect and possible antimycotoxigenic activity of LAB. 

1 Effect of lactic acid bacteria on the production of mycotoxins by toxigenic molds 

The effect of L. rhamnosus on growth and production of mycotoxins by Fusarium species, such as F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, and F. graminearum, was studied by Stiles and Bullerman (2002). Fumonisin Bi production was up to 63.2% inhibited in F. proliferatum, fumonisin B2 production by F. verticillioides was reduced up to 43.4%, and production of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone by F. graminearum was affected up to 92% and 87.5%, respectively. 

Considering the potential use of LAB isolates and their metabolites as antifungal agents to be added directly into food systems, it is altical to understand how these bacteria or metabolites influence, directly or indirectly, the synthesis of mycotoxins. This will become a very important part of risk assessment plans for food systems. 

The abihty of LAB cells to bind mycotoxin from Uquid media has been extensively studied. Reports have shown that this ability, as well as the stability of the interactions involved on mycotoxin binding by LAB, are dependent on several intrinsic (i.e., bacterial strain) and extrinsic (i.e., bacterial cell density, mycotoxin load, and salt and urea concentrations) factors (El-Nezami et al., 2002 El-Nezami, Kankaanpaa, Salminen, Ahokas, 1998a Haskard et al., 2001). 

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