Dairy products are exposed to contamination by aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) directly or by cross-contamination with aflatoxin B1. Strategies applied to reduce their impacts include probiotics and prebiotics. Zizyphus (Ziziphus spina-christi) fruit contains bioactive compounds that may act as prebiotics. The objective of this research was to discover what function encapsulated probiotics, Zizyphusz fruit, and their combination play in preventing oxidative liver damage and genotoxicity in rats. Probiotics (Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus,, and Bifidobacterium bifidum) and Zizyphusz were encapsulated separately using a soy protein concentrate and maltodextrin as carriers. Encapsulated probiotics and Zizyphusz as well as their combination with camel milk were evaluated in both normal and AFM1 -exposed rats. Biochemical alterations and histological changes were determined. Also, DNA damage was assessed by the comet assay protocol. At the studied doses, the encapsulated probiotics (2.7 × 1011 CFU/ml) and Zizyphusz (1 mg) reduced the elevation of liver functions, oxidative marker (malondialdehyde), inflammatory marker (tumor necrosis factor-alphaα), and DNA damage in rats exposed to AFM1. Possibly, the encapsulated probiotics or Zizyphusz can effectively protect the liver from oxidative stress and DNA damage caused by AFM1 .
Key words: aflatoxin M1, DNA damage, encapsulation, probiotic, Zizyphus fruit.
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