Fermentative bacteria can potentially be utilized to detoxify corn silage contaminated by Fusarium toxins. The objective of the present study was to test a large number of these bacteria for their ability to bind and/or biotransform deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and fumonisins B(1) and B(2) (FB(1), FB(2)) in conditions simulating corn silage. A total of 202 strains were screened in contaminated, pH 4, corn infusion inoculated with 5 x 10(8) CFU ml(-1). Eight Lactobacilli and three Leuconostoc biotransformed ZEN into alpha-zearalenol, but no biotransformation was detected for DON and fumonisins. In contrast, most strains were capable of binding Fusarium toxins. The most effective genera were Streptococcus and Enterococcus, capable of binding up to 33, 49, 24 and 62% of DON, ZEN, FB(1) and FB(2), respectively. The ability to bind Fusarium toxins seems to be a common property of fermentative bacteria and could help to decrease their toxicity in animals.