Food grade bacteria for the removal of toxic compounds

Abstract

The present invention relates to food-grade bacteria and methods for removing toxic compounds, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and pesticides, from contaminated environments or substances.

1 .- 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method for reducing a subject's uptake of toxic compounds consumed by the subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a  Lactobacillus  capable of sequestering the toxic compound consumed by the subject wherein the  Lactobacillus  is selected from:  Lactobacillus reuteri  RC-14,  Lactobacillus casei  21052,  Lactobacillus casei  393T,  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  GR-1,  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  R3,  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  R37,  Lactobacillus johnsonii  20553,  Lactobacillus plantarum  14917T, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the toxic compound is selected from the group consisting of: lead, cadmium, arsenic, malathion and parathion. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is provided in a viable form. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is provided in a non-viable form. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is provided as an extract. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  comprise a combination of two or more different strains of  Lactobacillus.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the  lactobacillus  is provided in a composition comprising the  Lactobacillus  and a suitable carrier. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the carrier is a milk-based product. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the composition comprises a combination of two or more strains of  Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri , and  Lactobacillus amylovorus.    
     
     
         45 . A method for reducing in a subject gastrointestinal uptake of toxic compounds consumed by the subject through edible or drinkable substances contaminated with the toxic compounds, the method comprising administering to the subject a  Lactobacillus , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is selected from:  Lactobacillus reuteri  RC-14,  Lactobacillus casei  21052,  Lactobacillus casei  393T,  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  GR-1,  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  R3,  Lactobacillus rhamnosus  R37,  Lactobacillus johnsonii  20553,  Lactobacillus plantarum  14917T, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the toxic compound is selected from the group consisting of: lead, cadmium, arsenic, malathion and parathion. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is provided in a viable form. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is provided in a non-viable form. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  is provided as an extract. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the  Lactobacillus  comprise a combination of two or more different strains of  Lactobacillus.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the  lactobacillus  is provided in a composition comprising the  Lactobacillus  and a suitable carrier. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the carrier is a milk-based product. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the composition comprises a combination of two or more strains of  Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri , and  Lactobacillus amylovorus.