Interaction of lactic acid bacteria with metal ions: opportunities for improving food safety and quality.
Certain species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as well as other microorganisms, can bind metal ions to their cells surface or transport and store them inside the cell. Due to this fact, over the past few years interactions of metal ions with LAB have been intensively investigated in order to develop the usage of these bacteria in new biotechnology processes in addition to their health and probiotic aspects. Preliminary studies in model aqueous solutions yielded LAB with high absorption potential for toxic and essential metal ions, which can be used for improving food safety and quality. This paper provides an overview of results obtained by LAB application in toxic metal ions removing from drinking water, food and human body, as well as production of functional foods and nutraceutics. The biosorption abilities of LAB towards metal ions are emphasized. The binding mechanisms, as well as the parameters influencing the passive and active uptake are analyzed.
Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Laboratory for Fermentation and Yeast Technology, Pierottijeva 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia. jmrvcic@pbf.hr
Jasna
J
Mrvčić
Damir
D
Stanzer
Ema
E
Solić
Vesna
V
Stehlik-Tomas
D005516:Food Microbiology; D063427:Food Quality; D059022:Food Safety; D007477:Ions / Q000378:metabolism; D007777:Lactobacillaceae / Q000378:metabolism*; D008670:Metals / Q000378:metabolism*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000378:metabolism
D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals