2.2.4. AFB1 Binding Capacities of Lactic Acid Bacteria, Regarding Genus

Among the major genera belonging to lactic acid bacteria are *Enterococcus*, *Lactobacillus*, *Lactococcus*, *Pediococcus*, and *Weissella*. To compare the AFB1 binding capacities of the genera, averages, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values were calculated from the data obtained for the strains belonging to the same genus. Data obtained from our previous studies [32] were used to calculate the values for genus *Lactobacillus*. Results are presented in Table 3. The genus with the best AFB1 binding ability was the genus *Lactobacillus*, with an average binding of 3.16%. In addition, the standard deviation of the data for the abilities of its strains was the highest among genera, presenting a 20-fold difference between minimum and maximum values. The second best genus was genus *Pediococcus*, with average binding percentage of 2.72%, and the third place was taken by the genus *Lactococcus*. It can be concluded that for AFB1 bio-detoxification purposes, lactobacilli, pediococci, or lactococci should be chosen, but it is important to select a strain with better binding properties than the average value of their genera.


**Table 3.** Percentage AFB1 binding capacities of lactic acid bacteria, regarding genus, at 0.2 µg/mL mycotoxin concentration in MRS broth (*Lactobacillus* results are from previous studies [32]).
