Effect of feeding enzymatically detoxified aflatoxin‐B₁ diet on liver function test of wistar rats

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate safety of the enzymatic treatment (garlic peroxidase) for removing aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) from foods.

Design/methodology/approach

An in vivo study was carried out on male wistar rats for three weeks. Since AFB₁ is a hepatotoxic; the effect of AFB₁ and the enzymatic detoxification of AFB₁ on the liver function was studied by determining the serum activities of various hepatic enzymes in different groups of experimental rats.

Findings

The peroxidase (POD) isolated from garlic possess AFB₁ degrading properties and the overall detoxification is safe to be used in various foods/feeds as the reaction products produced no toxicity in the adult male wistar rats. Rats fed with aflatoxin contaminated diet possessed increased activities of all the hepatic enzymes investigated; showing symptoms of liver damage compared to rats fed with enzyme treated diet.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be utilized for commercialization of the garlic POD mediated AFB₁ detoxification from feeds/foods.

Originality/value

The aflatoxin detoxyfying abilities of garlic POD and its in vivo safety studies have not been reported so far.

Citation

Tripathi, S. and Niwas Mishra, H. (2009), "Effect of feeding enzymatically detoxified aflatoxin‐B₁ diet on liver function test of wistar rats", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 3, pp. 235-242. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650910957483