Preparation and characterization of yeast cell wall beta-glucan encapsulated humic acid nanoparticles as an enhanced aflatoxin B1 binder

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of encapsulating humic acid inside yeast cell walls (YCW) to detoxify AFB₁ in in vitro gastrointestinal models. Glucan Mannan Lipid Particles (GMLPs) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell walls showed the highest AFB₁ adsorption in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) after 10 min, and in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) after 1 h. GMLPs are hollow 3-4 micron porous microspheres that provide an efficient system for the synthesis and encapsulation of AFB₁-absorbing nanoparticles (NPs). Humic acid nanoparticles (HA-NPs) were synthesized within the GMLP cavity by complexation with ferric chloride. Encapsulating HA-NPs in GMLPs increased HA-NP stability in SIF. The hybrid GMLP HA-NP formulation synergistically enhanced AFB₁ binding compared to individual GMLP and HA components in SGF and in SIF. Cytotoxicity on a murine macrophage cell line demonstrated that GMLP HA-NP-AFB₁ complexes were stable in both SGF and SIF, detoxified AFB₁ and are suitable for in vivo testing.

Keywords: Aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)); Glucan Mannan Lipid Particle (GMLP); Humic acid (HA); In vitro gastrointestinal models; Stability and cytotoxicity; Yeast cell wall (YCW).