Aflatoxin G2 standard

To investigate the effects of oral administration of probiotics consortium on lipid metabolism in aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposed rats, ninety female albino rats were first grouped into two: NC (control fed standard feed) and AF (fed AFB1-contaminated feed at 40 ppb). After eight weeks, baseline animals were sacrificed from both groups while the others further divided into four groups - NC treated with and without the probiotics consortium, aflatoxin treated with and without the probiotics consortium (NCT, NCC, AFT, and AFC respectively). Five animals from each group were sacrificed weekly for four weeks, with the collection of blood, liver, brain, and the small intestine. Administration of probiotics instigated significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the elevated plasma and organ lipids as well as HDL-TAG and VLDL + LDL CHO concentrations of animals exposed to AF. AF-induced hepatic lipogenesis and up-regulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity were also significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated following treatment with probiotics in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, neither AF nor probiotics had any effect on glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. Lipid peroxidation was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in probiotics-treated AF groups, compared to the AF-control groups. This study indicates that the probiotic consortium used synergistically ameliorated the AFB1-induced disruptions in lipid metabolism.

In the present study, a colorimetric biosensor strategy is devised in combination with apta-magnetic separation assisted with DNAzyme based colorimetric detection of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The optimized analytical procedures consisted of the capture of AFB1 by biotinylated aptamer conjugated to streptavidin magnetic beads and detection by a colorimetric signal from a DNAzyme modified aptamer in presence hemin and H2O2/TMB (3', 3', 5, 5'- tetramethylbenzidine). The DNA concentration, incubation time, hemin, and NaCl concentrations were evaluated and optimized. The visual optical signal thus generated could determine the presence of AFB1 in the given sample. The selectivity of the method with other mycotoxins was evaluated. The linear range of AFB1 from 0 to 200 ppb was assessed and detected as low as 40 ppb visually. The absorbance of blue color generated by the catalytic reaction was in a linear correlation with AFB1 concentrations and was able to detect as low as 22.6 ppb (LOD). The suitability of the assay for AFB1 quantification in sorghum and natural samples was also evaluated. Thus, the developed assay could be a reliable, inexpensive, alternative tool for possible use as a screening method for aflatoxins and other mycotoxins.