Antigenotoxic effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the damage produced in mice fed with aflatoxin B₁ contaminated corn

The potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) was evaluated for reducing the micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNNE) rate in mice fed AFB₁ contaminated corn. The study included two groups fed AFB₁ contaminated corn (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg), a control fed uncontaminated corn, another group fed uncontaminated corn and 0.3% of Sc (1 × 10⁸ live cells/g), and two groups fed AFB₁ contaminated corn (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg) plus 0.3% Sc. Weight and MNNE were determined weekly for six weeks. Subsequently, the same determinations were made for another three-week period, but in mice receiving only a normal diet, without AFB₁ and Sc. Results in the first period revealed the following: control and Sc fed mice had similar constant weight increase, and low MNNE rate; mice fed only AFB₁ showed weight decrease and significant MNNE increase; finally, Sc improved weight gain and reduced MNNE produced by AFB₁. In the second period, results exhibited a tendency similar to that of the previous phase in the control and Sc fed mice; the weight and MNNE values improved in the other groups. We also determined the capacity of Sc for adsorbing and modifying the mycotoxin structure. The mixture was filtered to obtain two phases, and AFB₁ content was measured. Sc revealed a potent adsorbent capacity; however, chromatographic determination suggested no structural modification.