Study of the potential toxicity of enniatins A, A1, B, B1 by evaluation of duodenal and colonic bioavailability applying an in vitro method by Caco-2 cells

The bioavailability of the minor Fusarium mycotoxins enniatins (ENs) utilizing an in vitro method which allows the simulation of the small and large intestine tracts has been studied. This method, based on the application of the Caco-2 cells grown alone or in symbiosis with several strains characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract, has permitted to simulate the duodenal and colonic intestinal compartments, respectively. The duodenal bioavailability expressed as absorption value after 4 h of exposure, ranged from 57.7 to 76.8% for EN A, from 68.8 to 70.2% for EN A(1), from 65.0 to 67.0% for EN B, and from 62.2 to 65.1% for EN B-1. Colonic bioavailability after 48 h of incubation ranged from 17.3 to 33.3% for EN A, from 40.8 to 50.0% for EN A(1), from 47.7 to 55.0% for EN B, and from 52.4 to 57.4% for En B-1. The highest duodenal and colonic bioavailability was observed after Caco-2 cells exposed to EN A, ENs B and B-1, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.