Microbial detoxification of aflatoxin.

Yeasts, molds, bacteria, actinomycetes, algae, and fungal spores were screened for their ability to degrade aflatoxin. Some molds and mold spores partially transformed aflatoxin B(1) to new fluorescing compounds. Only one of the bacteria, Flavobacterium (aurantiacum?) NRRL B-184, removed aflatoxin from solution. Both growing and resting cells of B-184 took up toxin irreversibly. Toxin-contaminated milk, oil, peanut butter, peanuts, and corn were completely detoxified, and contaminated soybean was partially detoxified by addition of B-184. Duckling assays showed that detoxification of aflatoxin solutions by B-184 was complete, with no new toxic products being formed.