The use of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus bifermentans as antidote of mercury metal (Hg) to the mice Rattus norvegicus

Abstract

Methyl mercury is a sort of most toxic mercury which was long since used by society in various fields. Methyl mercury is produced by a methilation process of anorganic mercury compound by metanogenic bacteria in aquatic sediment. The existence of excessive methyl mercury in the environment will be dangerous if entering the body of living beings. The aim of this research was to know the potential of probiotic bacteria spesies Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus bifermentans (in vivo) as antidote of mercury (Hg) poisoning to the experimental mice (Rattus norvegicus L.) after contacting methyl mercury acetate. This research used 5 various treatments where each of them conducted in 3 times repetition. The treatment which was used as follows; aquadest (positive control), mercury acetate 2 ppm (negative control), and probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus bifermentans; Lactobacillus plantarum; and also mixture culture of them. The observed parameter is the concentration of methyl mercury in blood and also through morphology observation qualitatively. The result of research shows that the giving of probiotic bacteria gives the real effect in decreasing the concentration of methyl mercury in blood. The best potential of probiotic bacteria as an antidote is Lactobacillus bifermentans because it can reduce the concentration of giving methyl mercury around 90,7 %.