The Probiotics : Future Aspects of Heavy Metal Detoxification

Abstract

Environmental toxins, especially heavy metals found in soil, water and air, are toxic to humans, animals and plants. These toxins are widespread in the environment and affect many biological systems. Recently, various strategies have been implemented to reduce heavy metal contamination. However, most of these strategies are costly and appear to be environmentally unsafe. Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial to human health. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were found to be important groups of probiotics. However, some group of pediococcus, lactococcus, bacillus and yeast are also classified as probiotics. The important role of probiotics in maintaining the health of the body has recently been discovered and recorded. It has been found that probiotics have a high ability to bind with our target substances and eliminate them with feces. These target substances include aluminum, cadmium, lead and arsenic. This review discusses the history of probiotics, the role of probiotics in the elimination of heavy metal and their mechanism of action in modulating and regulating different signaling pathways disturbances which involved in heavy metal accumulation in biological systems.