Exploring the role of lactobacilli in heavy metal detoxification: a journey from lab to gut

This PhD thesis presents a pioneering exploration into the use of lactobacilli strains for the bioremediation of Heavy Metal (HMS) in the intestinal tract, showcasing a tangible strategy to combat environmental pollutants that pose a substantial risk to human health. The urgency of afressing HMs stems from their accumulation and magnification in the environment, ultimately infiltrating the food chain and affecting human health through systemic adverse effects, including renal damage and neurological disorders. This work proposes a novel bioremediation approach that leverages the health-promoting capabilities of specific lactobacilli strains to mitigate HM's adverse effect in the gut, therefore presenting a viable and rapid strategy for intestinal HMs bioremediation. Structured around an in-depth state of the art review and a serie of experimental evaluations, the thesis outline a methodology to select probiotic strains capable of HMs detoxification and assess their efficacy under simulated gatro-intestinal conditions. The findings highlight the strain and HM-specific nature of this detoxification capability, emphasizing the importance of targeted bacterial applications. This dissertation advocate for the pontential use of lactobacilli strains in reducing the gastrointestinal absorption of heavy metal and their systemic dissemination, therby protecting human health from the threats posed by environmental pollutants.