Binding and removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cold smoked sausage and beef using probiotic strains

The aim of this study is to bio-monitor the levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cold smoked beef and sausages. The ability of probiotics to remove PAHs was also investigated as function of the cell viability (viable, non-viable and acid-treated cells), bacterial counts (10⁷, 10⁸, and 10⁹ CFU/mL), pH (3, 5, and 7), and incubation time (6, 12, and 24 h). The results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the analyzed sausages and beef samples for the PAHs concentration. Non-viable probiotics achieved the highest PAHs reduction rates. Limosilactobacillus fermentum EMCC 1346 presented the lowest binding activity value (i.e. 41.10-56.80 %) for all PAHs, followed by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus EMCC 1105 with binding percentage of 50.40-65.80 %. On the other hand, the highest removal for all PAHs was achieved by Lactobacillus bulgaricus EMCC 1102 with binding rate of 60.50-76.80 %, at 10⁹ CFU/mL, pH 7, after incubation for 24 h. The fortified sausages results revealed that L. bulgaricus EMCC 1102 cultures exhibited the maximum and significant reduction (p < 0.05) of PAHs with values of 44.71 µg/kg for the center part, compared to control non treated sausages (82.65 µg/kg). Regarding the sensorial profile, treated samples with probiotics led to a preference from the panelists, compared to control. Consequently, the results confirm that fermented probiotic suspension is a feasible future strategy to control PAHs levels in cold smoked meat stuffs.