Developing a new biologic toxin binder for reducing AFB1 toxicity in laying hens

Aflatoxin (AFs)-contaminated diet in feeding domestic animals is one of the biggest health concerns for humans. Therefore, various methods have been developed to detoxify AFs. In the present study, adding Saccharomyces cerevisiae probiotic yeast and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) reduces the toxicity of AF B1 (AFB1) in laying hens was studied. After preparing the laying hens, they were fed with a diet containing AFB1 for 14 days and supplemented with S. cerevisiae and TiO2-NPs. Weight changes, serum levels of albumin, globulin, total protein, aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured over 14 days. Also, on day 14, after killing the animals, their liver tissue was extracted, and the AFB1 content was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and studied histopathologically using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The results showed that adding S. cerevisiae strain and TiO2-NPs to the diet of chicks with aflatoxicosis prevented weight loss, detoxified the liver, increased total protein, decreased albumin, and globulin content. Histopathological images showed damage to the liver tissue of laying hens fed diets containing AFB1. However, S. cerevisiae and TiO2-NPs were able to prevent liver damage. In general, it was concluded that adding S. cerevisiae along with TiO2-NPs could be a good optiofor reducing AFB1 toxicity in laying hens.