Rapid confirmatory test for aflatoxins using some microorganisms

ABSTRACT

Four bacterial cultures were studied in a search for an organism sensitive to aflatoxins [B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1] to be used as confirmatory bioassay for these mycotoxins. It was found that bacillus megaterium GAIM 1057 was sensitive to Afl. B1 and B2 but not sensitive to Afl. G1, G2 and M1, while bacillus cereus was found to be sensitive to Afl. B1, B2, G1 and G2; its sensitivity was found to be more pronounced B2 and G2. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli showed intermediate sensitivity to Afl. B2, G1 and G2 but was not sensitive to Afl. B1. All the test microorganisms did not give a response with Afl. M1. The assay is rapid [15-17 hr], simple and inexpensive and can be used to verify the presence in the samples of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2