Potential anti-carcinogenic effect of probiotic and lactic acid bacteria in detoxification of benzo[a]pyrene: A review

Contaminations of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]p) in food is the main source of B[a]p exposure to humans. B[a]p as one of the most studied polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) omnipresent in the environment and food. Bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) now have been used to study the elimination of carcinogenic contaminants of food via stable physical binding. The current theoretical study revealed that biological detoxification of B[a]p is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method. Data was collected by “web of science”, “research gate”, “google scholar”, BJFU online library etc. The aim of this study was to discuss the efficiency of probiotic and LAB cells in in-vitro binding with B[a]p and in in-vivo anti-carcinogenicity and anti-mutagenicity against B[a]p and the whole overview of detoxification mechanism in the food system. To the best we know, this is the first review that focuses on the approaches of probiotics and LABs in the removal of B[a]p. This research will be utilized in the food industrial processing and in the industries that use the “probiotic cell technology” such as pharmaceutical, food, feed etc. This study established that B[a]p binding percentage of probiotic and LAB cells were double comparatively non-LAB cells after a critical comparison. It was found that probiotic and LAB cells were effective in in-vivo removal of B[a]p on oral administration and also effective in removal of B[a]p from the food systems. It was concluded that probiotic strains were highly efficient in the removal of B[a]p also having no toxic effects and potential adverse health effects. •Comparison of B[a]p binding percentage of probiotic and LABs VS non- LABs.•In-vivo removal of B[a]p by probiotic and LABs.•B[a]p detoxification in food and feed system by probiotic and LABs.