title: In vitroevaluation of bioremediation capacity of a commercial probiotic,Bacillus coagulans, for chromium (VI) and lead (II) toxicity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The bioaccumulation of heavy metals including chromium (VI) (Cr (VI)) and lead (II) (Pb (II)) causes fatal toxicity in humans. Some naturally occurring bacterial genera such asBacillusandPseudomonashelp in bioremediation of these heavy metals and some of the species ofBacillusare proven probiotics. However, no study has been conducted onBacillus coagulans, which is a proven probiotic species of genusBacillus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of the present study was to assess the potential of a proven probiotic,B. coagulans, marketed as "Sporlac-DS," to survive in the presence of Cr (VI) and Pb (II) and its ability to reduce its concentrationin vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the organism for Cr (VI) and Pb (II) was determined followed by its biochemical and morphological characterization. Its antibiotic sensitivity and probiotic efficacy were assessed. Further, its bioremediation capacity was observedin vitroby determining the residual Cr (VI) and Pb (II) concentration after 72 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B. coagulanscould tolerate up to 512 ppm concentration of Cr (VI) and had an MIC of 128 ppm for Pb (II). After 72 h, the organism reduced 32 ppm Cr (VI) and 64 ppm Pb (II) by 93% and 89%, respectively. WhenB. coagulanswas studied before and after growing on Cr (VI) and Pb (II) for 24 h, an increase was seen in sensitivity toward the tested antibiotics whereas no change was observed in morphological and biochemical characters. It also showed no change in their bile and acid tolerance, indicating that it retains its probiotic efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tested probioticB. coagulansmay have a potential role in bioremediation of Cr (VI) and Pb (II),in vivo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, IPS Academy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pranoti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Belapurkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, IPS Academy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Pragya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kar
keywords: Bacillus coagulans; bioremediation; chromium; lead; probiotics