Degradation of ochratoxin a by Brevibacterium species

J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Oct 12;59(19):10755-60. doi: 10.1021/jf203061p. Epub 2011 Sep 13.

Abstract

The ability to degrade ochratoxin A was studied in different bacteria with a well-known capacity to transform aromatic compounds. Strains belonging to Rhodococcus, Pseudomonas, and Brevibacterium genera were grown in liquid synthetic culture medium containing ochratoxin A. Brevibacterium spp. strains showed 100% degradation of ochratoxin A. Ochratoxin α was detected and identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) as a degradation product in the cell-free supernatants. The degradation of ochratoxin A is of public concern for food and environmental safety, because it could contribute to the development of new biological ochratoxin A detoxification systems in foodstuffs. In this study, the degradation of ochratoxin A by bacteria belonging to the food chain was demonstrated for the first time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Brevibacterium / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mycotoxins / metabolism*
  • Ochratoxins / analysis
  • Ochratoxins / metabolism*
  • Poisons / metabolism

Substances

  • Mycotoxins
  • Ochratoxins
  • Poisons
  • ochratoxin A