Histopathological studies on kidney and liver of albino rat infected with toxigenic <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> after treatment with isolated <i>Lactobacillus</i> species from <i>Kunu</i>

Abstract

Background: Aflatoxin is a metabolic product of Aspergillus flavus that causes several injuries to vital organs in the body.

Methods: The liver and kidney tissue of healthy rats challenged with toxigenic A. flavus after treatment with Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii were examined.

Results: The weight of the liver (3.61 g) and kidney (11.33 g) of infected rats with toxigenic mould were significantly reduced (P<0.05) when compared to the group treated with Lactobacillus spp.; BD+AP+LP, BD+AP+LD and BD+ AP+LPD. The rats fed basal diet and Lactobacillus spp. have a normal histological structure. Necrotic lesions, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and collapse of the glomerulus were observed in the liver and kidney of rats induced with A. flavus. The rats infected with Lactobacillus spp. regained their strength and activity after treatment but showed mild necrosis in the liver and thickening of glomerular basement in the kidney.

Conclusions: The use of Lactobacillus species suppressed the growth and eliminated the potential risk of toxigenic A. flavus in the infected rats. This showed that Lactobacillus spp. possess some therapeutic properties due to their ability to secret secondary metabolites. The bioactive compounds can be exploited and used in food products to inhibit the growth of food borne pathogens.

Keywords: Aflatoxins, Lactic Acid Bacteria, Bio-control, Fermented beverage