Evaluating the in vitro removal of bisphenol F and tetramethyl bisphenol F by Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii

Abstract

We conducted pioneering research evaluating Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii as next-generation probiotics (NGPs) for removing bisphenol A (BPA) analogues, such as bisphenol F (BPF) and tetramethylbisphenol F (TMBPF). Chronic exposure to these under-researched compounds through contaminated food poses a risk to health by promoting gut microbiota imbalances and inflammation. In our experiments, pasteurized F. prausnitzii removed up to ∼87 % of TMBPF after 48 h (from 9,976 ± 0,790 μg/mL to 1,350 ± 0,330 μg/mL μg/mL, p < 0.0001) through bioadsorption. Meanwhile, A. muciniphila achieved ∼48 % removal of BPF (from 10,33 ± 0,96 μg/mL to 5,33 ± 0,62 μg/mL, p < 0.0001) via biotransformation also after 48 h. Bioadsorption and biotransformation mechanisms were compared across conditions, with significant differences (p < 0.01) observed only for A. muciniphila with BPF and F. prausnitzii with TMBPF after 48 h. No cytotoxic effects of raw bisphenols were seen in Caco-2 cells, although the post-fermentation supernatant from A. muciniphila reduced cell viability to 68 % (p < 0.001). Notably, TMBPF showed no estrogenic activity, while BPF exhibited strong estrogenicity, which decreased following incubation with both strains. These findings confirm both NGPs reduce bisphenol concentrations, supporting their use in detoxification and functional food development. Implementing NGP-based strategies in food production and supplementation could lower human exposure to harmful bisphenols. This approach underscores the promise of advanced probiotics in mitigating foodborne chemical risks and aligns with evolving regulations and public health efforts to protect consumers.

Keywords: Adsorption; Bisphenol F (BPF); Estrogen activity; Gut microbiota; Next-generation probiotics (NGPs); Tetramethyl bisphenol F (TMBPF).