Mitigation of potentially toxic elements in food products by probiotic bacteria: A comprehensive review

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) as non-degradable elements (especially carcinogenic types for humans such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As)) are widely distributed in the environment. They are one of the most concerned pollutants that can be absorbed and accumulated in the human body, primarily via contaminated water and foods. Acute or chronic poisoning of humans to PTEs can pose some serious risks for human health even at low concentrations. In this context, some methods are introduced to eliminate or reduce their concentration. While the biological treatment by bacterial strains, particularly probiotic bacteria, is considered as an effective method for reducing or eliminating of them. The consumption of probiotics as nonpathogenic microorganisms at regular and adequate dose offer some beneficial health impacts, it can also be applied to remove PTEs in both alive and non-alive states. This review aimed to provide an overview regarding the efficacy of different types of probiotic bacteria for PTEs removal from various environments such as food, water, in vitro, and in vivo conditions.