Reduction of aflatoxins by Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei

This study evaluated the ability of the microorganisms Rhizopus oryzae (CCT7560) and Trichoderma reesei (QM9414), producers of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) enzymes, to reduce the level of aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁, G₂, and M₁. The variables considered to the screening were the initial number of spores in the inoculum and the culture time. The culture was conducted in contaminated 4 % potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium, and the residual mycotoxins were determined every 24 h by HPLC-FL. The fungus R. oryzae has reduced aflatoxins B₁, B₂, and G₁ in the 96 h and aflatoxins M₁ and G₂ in the range of 120 h of culture by approximately 100 %. The fungus T. reesei has reduced aflatoxins B₁, B₂, and M₁ in the 96 h and aflatoxin G₁ in the range of 120 h of culture by approximately 100 %. The highest reduction occurred in the middle of R. oryzae culture.