Identification of degradation products of aflatoxin B1 and B2 resulting after their biodetoxification by aqueous extracts of Acacia nilotica

Contamination of food and feed items with mycotoxins causes extensive economic damage. It is therefore important to explore environmentally friendly approaches to manage these toxins with less drawbacks. Phytochemicals can provide a safe alternative to synthetic chemicals. This study was designed to investigate the detoxification potential of water-based extracts of Acacia nilotica against aflatoxins B1 and B2. First trials were carried out to standardise temperature, pH and incubation time for biodetoxification in spiked maize. A significant percentage of detoxification was observed under all tested conditions, showing an increasing detoxifying potential with an increase in all three parameters. Leaf extract was found to be more effective than shoot extract. Leaf extract resulted in 86-90% detoxification of both aflatoxin B1 and B2 when incubated for 72 h at 60 °C and pH 10. To avoid the detrimental effects of very high temperature and pH, experiments on spiked maize were conducted at 30 °C and pH 8. A significant detoxification of 82-83% was recorded during trials with spiked maize. MS/MS analyses showed conversion of aflatoxins B1 into seven and aflatoxins B2 into two new compounds. Most of the compounds were formed due to the removal of the double bond in the terminal furan ring and modification of the lactone group, indicating less toxicity as compared to the parent compounds. Decontamination and reduction in toxicity of treated aflatoxins was corroborated by a brine shrimps bioassay.