Study the effect of probiotics on heavy metals absorption

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recent industrial activities development has led to increase heavy metals released into atmosphere, water and soil. These metals, due to their toxicity nature replace essential metals present in connection positions, damage cells and cellular processes. Therefore, in this review article, the effect of probiotics on the ability to absorb and remove heavy metals was investigated Materials and Methods: The research was carried out with the keywords of heavy metals, probiotics and the results of the studies were expressed as follows. Search by the keywords “Heavy Metals Probiotics” in databases Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science were done and then 45 related articles that published in 2000-2017 were selected. Findings: Microorganisms having reciprocal strategy prevents elements changing to less harmful materials through inter- or intracellular connection from undesirable reactions in the host cells. In addition they are capable to exit metals from cell cytosol. Probiotics have indicated that through attaching to heavy metals can protect host from their absorption. Probiotics protect host from their poisonous effects through three mechanisms including: ionic exchange reaction to peptidoglycan, deposition through nuclear reactions and combining to oxygen and nitrogen ligands to attached heavy metals. Conclusion: Biodegradability in which microbes used to detoxification and degeneration bio-environmental pollutants is a suitable option to replace present physic-chemical strategies to remove heavy metals. Therefore, based on probiotics potential in bio absorption and heavy metals removal, it is recommended to use them to reduce heavy metals toxicity