Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. 
Clinical Pharmacist and Master’s student in Clinical Pharmacy with research interests in pharmacovigilance, behavioral interventions in mental health, and AI applications in clinical decision support. Experience includes digital health research with Bloomsbury Health (London) and pharmacovigilance practice in patient support programs. Published work covers drug awareness among healthcare providers, postpartum depression management, and patient safety reporting. What was reviewed?
This comprehensive review article examines the role of probiotics, primarily lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bifidobacteria, and yeasts, in improving food safety through the detoxification of various chemical contaminants. The analysis specifically details the mechanisms and efficacy of probiotics in adsorbing, neutralizing, or transforming hazardous substances, with a significant focus on heavy metals like cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic. The review consolidates evidence from numerous studies to present a holistic view of how these microorganisms can mitigate the toxicity of pollutants in food products and within the host’s body after consumption, positioning probiotics as a viable, natural strategy for enhancing food safety. The exploration of probiotics for heavy metal detoxification is particularly relevant for developing safer food systems.
Who was reviewed?
The review synthesizes findings from a wide array of in vitro and in vivo studies involving various probiotic microorganisms and hosts. The primary microbial agents reviewed belong to the genera Lactobacillus (e.g., L. rhamnosus, L. plantarum, L. acidophilus), Bifidobacterium (e.g., B. longum), and Saccharomyces (e.g., S. cerevisiae, S. boulardii). The evidence is drawn from research conducted on animal models, including rats, mice, and fish, as well as from human intervention studies, such as those involving pregnant women and children consuming probiotic-enriched yogurt. The reviewed studies collectively investigate the interaction between these probiotics and contaminants within complex matrices like food products and simulated human gastrointestinal environments.
Most important findings
| Critical Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-Mechanism Detoxification | Probiotics, especially LAB, remove heavy metals via biosorption (binding to cell walls), bioaccumulation (intracellular uptake), and biotransformation (converting metals to less toxic forms, e.g., Cr(VI) to Cr(III)). |
| Strain-Specific Efficacy | Detoxification capacity varies significantly by strain. For instance, L. plantarum CCFM8610 significantly reduced cadmium in juices, while L. rhamnosus GR-1 effectively immobilized lead and cadmium in intestinal models. |
| In-Vivo Protective Effects | Animal studies demonstrate that probiotics reduce heavy metal accumulation in tissues (liver, kidneys), alleviate oxidative stress, reverse organ damage, and increase fecal excretion of metals, thereby preventing systemic toxicity. |
| Food Matrix Influence | The efficacy of heavy metal removal is highly dependent on the food environment. The metal-binding capacity of probiotics can be reduced in complex matrices like wine or juice due to low pH and competing compounds. |
| Gram-Positive Advantage | Gram-positive bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bacillus spp., generally possess higher metal adsorption capacity due to their thick, teichoic acid-rich peptidoglycan cell walls. |
Key implications
The primary regulatory impact is the potential for probiotics to be recognized as a processing aid for reducing heavy metal contamination in food, which could inform new maximum residue limits. For certification requirements, validating specific probiotic strains and their application methods in different food matrices will be essential. Industry applications include developing probiotic-fermented foods, functional ingredients, and animal feed supplements to proactively lower the heavy metal burden. Critical research gaps involve standardizing in-food testing protocols and understanding long-term safety, including nutrient mineral bioavailability. Practical recommendations involve selecting robust, food-grade strains with proven in-matrix efficacy for integration into HACCP plans.
Citation
Ansari F, Lee CC, Rashidimehr A, et al. The role of probiotics in improving food safety; detoxification of heavy metals and chemicals.Toxin Rev. 2023. doi:10.1080/15569543.2023.2283768
Cadmium is a persistent heavy metal that accumulates in kidneys and bones. Dietary sources include cereals, cocoa, shellfish and vegetables, while smokers and industrial workers receive higher exposures. Studies link cadmium to kidney dysfunction, bone fractures and cancer.
Lead is a neurotoxic heavy metal with no safe exposure level. It contaminates food, consumer goods and drinking water, causing cognitive deficits, birth defects and cardiovascular disease. HMTC’s rigorous lead testing applies ALARA principles to protect infants and consumers and to prepare brands for tightening regulations.
Heavy metals are high-density elements that accumulate in the body and environment, disrupting biological processes. Lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, nickel, tin, aluminum, and chromium are of greatest concern due to persistence, bioaccumulation, and health risks, making them central to the HMTC program’s safety standards.
