Report on aflatoxin-binding activity of galactan exopolysaccharide produced by Weissella confusa KR780676.

Galactan exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Weissella confusa KR780676 isolated from an Indian traditional fermented food has been reported earlier. In this manuscript, we have studied aflatoxin-binding ability of this galactan EPS. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) binding ability of galactan EPS was observed in an increasing trend with increasing EPS concentration (20-100 mg/mL). At lower concentrations (< 20 mg/mL) of EPS, the binding activity was undetectable, while notable binding was seen from 30 mg/mL. Enhanced AFB1 binding (32.40%) was recorded at 50 mg/mL of EPS and it increased gradually up to 34.79% at 100 mg/mL concentrations of EPS. The intensity of bands in high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis confirms the AFB1 binding efficiency of galactan EPS, which shows its potential application for removal of toxins in food and feed industry. Galactan EPS binding activity to AFB1 is further studied with particle size analysis (PSA). This is the first study reporting the aflatoxin-binding activity of any kind of EPS from lactic acid bacteria. © King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology 2020.