Characteristics of Aflatoxin B(1) Degradation by Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila and It’s Combination with Black Soldier Fly Larvae

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)), one of the most hazardous mycotoxins commonly present in food and feed, causes great loss in livestock farming and severe safety risks to human health. In this paper, benefiting from using a sterile black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) system, we found that the ability of BSFL to degrade AFB(1) was greatly reduced in the absence of gut microbiota, which indicated the important role of gut microbiota in AFB(1) degradation. Furthermore, twenty-five AFB(1)-degrading bacteria were isolated from BSFL gut, and S. acidaminiphila A2 achieved the highest AFB(1) degradation, by 94%. When S. acidaminiphila A2 was re-inoculated to BSFL, the detrimental effect of AFB(1) on the growth performance of BSFL was alleviated, and complete AFB(1) degradation in peanut meal was obtained. The present study may provide a strategy to degrade AFB(1) in feedstuff through bioconversion with BSFL in combination with gut-originated AFB(1)-degrading bacteria, while providing a sustainable insect protein and fat source to animals. ABSTRACT: Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) is a common mycotoxin contaminant in cereals that causes severe economic losses and serious risks to the health of humans and animals. In this paper, we investigated the characteristics of AFB(1) degradation by black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) combined with commensal intestinal microorganisms. Germ-free BSFL and non-sterile BSFL were reared on peanut meal spiked with AFB(1) for 10 days. The result showed that germ-free BSFL and non-sterile BSFL could achieve 31.71% and 88.72% AFB(1) degradation, respectively, which indicated the important role of larvae gut microbiota in AFB(1) degradation. Furthermore, twenty-five AFB(1)-degrading bacteria were isolated from BSFL gut, and S. acidaminiphila A2 achieved the highest AFB(1) degradation, by 94%. When S. acidaminiphila A2 was re-inoculated to BSFL, the detrimental effect of AFB(1) on the growth performance of BSFL was alleviated, and complete AFB(1) degradation in peanut meal was obtained. In conclusion, the present study may provide a strategy to degrade AFB(1) in feedstuff through bioconversion with BSFL in combination with gut-originated AFB(1)-degrading bacteria, while providing a sustainable insect protein and fat source to animals.