1Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Taif University, Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding Author: Ashraf Albrakati, Department of Human Anatomy, College of Medicine, Taif University, Saudi Arabia, Email: a.albrakati@tu.edu.sa
Bacillus cereus poses a critical food safety challenge in developing countries, emphasising the need to find ways to combat its toxicity. Commercially produced baby food is authorized as a main source of nourishment for infants; thus, it should include a high concentration of nutrients and be free from any potential hazards.
300 random food samples were obtained from supermarkets and pharmacies in Taif and Makkah cities, Saudi Arabia. Microbiological examinations, molecular techniques and anatomical examinations were applied to confirm B. cereus pathogenicity. Probiotic bacteria were tested for their antimicrobial activity.
The bacteria were observed in almost all samples with mean total viable counts of 1.586 to 3.543 log10 cfu/g. Furthermore, 196 Bacillus colonies were identified and 27% of them were B. cereus. Finally, L. rhamnosus is an anti-B. cereus agent was used for detoxification and to reduce the pathogenicity of this pathogen. After mixing L. rhamnosus with B. cereus and/or its emetic toxins and feeding it to mice, the toxicity of B. cereus and its enterotoxins was reduced by 37 to 62%, paving the way for using this strain to protect infant meals from hazardous microbial elements. Anatomical examination showed that mice fed with B. cereus exhibited severe gastrointestinal abnormalities, whereas those treated with combinations of B. cereus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus displayed normal anatomical features. This study concluded that Lactobacillus rhamnosus may have significantly mitigated the toxicity of Bacillus cereus in infant meals, highlighting its potential as a protective agent in food safety.
Bacillus cereus, Detoxification, Enterotoxins, Infant foods, L. rhamnosus
