Probiotic characteristics and aflatoxin B1 binding ability of Debaryomyces hansenii and Kazaschtania exigua from rainbow trout environment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate probiotic properties and the aflatoxin B1 adsorption ability of yeasts isolated from rainbow trout intestine and fish feed to assess their use in the formulation of feed additives. Growth at pH 2, bacterial pathogens inhibition, bacterial pathogens co-aggregation, autoaggregation, homologous and heterologous inhibition against lactic acid bacteria were evaluated. Moreover, aflatoxin B1 adsorption was tested. All strains were able to maintain viable (107 cells/ml) at pH 2. All strains isolated from intestine were identified as Kazaschtania exigua, while strains isolated from feed were all identified as Debaryomyces hansenii. Kazaschtania exigua RC035 and RC037 showed the strongest antimicrobial activity while K. exigua RC037 and RC038 were the most efficient co-aggregating bacterial pathogens. All strains exhibited strong autoaggregation. None of the tested yeast strains showed homologous inhibition towards other yeasts and heterologous inhibition towards lactic acid bacteria strains. Debaryomyces hansenii RC031 demonstrated aflatoxin B1 adsorption capacity (21%). The results of the present study indicate that select strains of Kazaschtania exigua and D. hansenii showed potential to improve the health of rainbow trout by inhibiting pathogens and binding AFB1 and their use as probiotics may improve the production of rainbow trout in aquaculture systems.