We constructed a novel thermophilic microbial consortium, TADC7, with stable and efficient aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) degradation activity. The microbial consortium degraded more than 95% of the toxin within 72 h when cultured with AFB(1), and the optimum temperature was 55-60 degrees C. TADC7 tolerated high doses of AFB(1), with no inhibitory effects up to 5000 mu g L (1) AFB(1); moreover, the degradation kinetics fit well with the Monod model. The proteins or enzymes in the TADC7 cell-free supernatant played a major role in AFB(1) degradation. AFB1 degradation by the cell-free supernatant was stable up to 90 degrees C, with an optimal pH of 8-10. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing to determine TADC7 community structure dynamics; the results indicated that Geobacillus and Tepidimicrobium played major roles in AFB1 degradation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.