Probiotics and Its Associated Factors on Aflatoxin Biomarkers

The study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel intervention that conducted for 12 weeks and followed-up for 4 weeks among healthy adults under living condition in Serdang and Kajang, Selangor. 164 subjects will be recruited for the intervention study, where 82 subjects will be randomly allocated to the probiotic or placebo group. Probiotic and placebo drinks (80 ml) will be prepared in the form of bottle. Placebo drink will have similar taste, colour, physical appearance, and nutritional value as probiotic drink but contain no LcS. Morning urine samples (15 ml), weight status, and dietary intake will be collected every two weeks from week 0 to week 12 and follow up until week 16 at community centre. Whereas, fasting blood samples (5 ml) and physical activity will be collected every four weeks for 16 weeks at the community centre.

Inclusion criteria

• Malaysian healthy male or female adults (BMI <30kg/m2) aged 20 to 60 years who have regular bowel movement (at least 4 times/week), AFB1 >4.71 pg/mg albumin, and AFM1 > 0.88 ng/ml

Exclusion criteria

• History or presence of any clinically important disease or disorder (eg. cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, etc.) which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, or influence the results or the subject's ability to participate in the study
• Mental status that is incompatible with the proper conduct of the study
• Functional constipation [based on Rome III diagnostic criteria with a five-point symptoms based diagnosing tool (0=never or rarely, 1=sometimes, 2=often, 3=most of the time, 4=always)]
• Diarrhoea within 2 months prior to the study start
• Allergic reaction towards probiotic, milk and with gastric problem
• Lactose intolerance
• Use of medications or/and antibiotics
• Use of probiotic, prebiotic and fibre supplements or/and laxatives during the two weeks prior to study start.
• Drug/alcohol abuse (for alcohol 4 times/day or 20 times/week)
• Pregnant
• Reported special diets such as vegetarian, vegan, or macrobiotic
• Festive (eg. Ramadan, Chinese New Year etc) 3 months before and during the study
• Participation in another intervention study one month prior to the present study