Biological Approach for Lead (Pb) Removal from Meat and Meat Products in Bangladesh

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Ref.: Ms. No. processes-3710906

The review entitled “Biological Approach for Lead (Pb) Removal from Meat and Meat Products in Bangladesh”

This review explores the use of probiotics, specifically lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as a green and sustainable method to reduce lead (Pb) contamination in meat, a key protein source in Bangladesh. It examines optimal biosorption conditions to enhance Pb removal while preserving meat quality and safety. Despite the well-executed study, there are areas requiring further clarification to confirm its applicability. I recommend this manuscript for consideration in polymers only if the authors address these concerns:

 

1. In the introduction, the author should include two additional references when discussing previous research to better support the context.
2. The author should also include recent studies on lead removal.
3. The author should include a schematic diagram to visually illustrate the proposed mechanism for better clarity and understanding.
4. The author should include an analysis of cost, scalability, and resource availability, particularly in local contexts like Bangladesh, to validate real-world implementation.
5. There are several instances of word repetition throughout the manuscript; please review and revise these sections for improved clarity and readability.
6. Authors should include the conclusion of the review as a separate topic.
7. Pb+2 should be Pb⁺² throughout the manuscript.

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Reviewer 1

 Ref.: Ms. No. processes-3710906

The review entitled “Biological Approach for Lead (Pb) Removal from Meat and Meat Products in Bangladesh”

This review explores the use of probiotics, specifically lactic acid bacteria (LAB), as a green and sustainable method to reduce lead (Pb) contamination in meat, a key protein source in Bangladesh. It examines optimal biosorption conditions to enhance Pb removal while preserving meat quality and safety. Despite the well-executed study, there are areas requiring further clarification to confirm its applicability. I recommend this manuscript for consideration in polymers only if the authors address these concerns:

Response: We appreciate the reviewer’s constructive feedback. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

1. In the introduction, the author should include two additional references when discussing previous research to better support the context.

Response: We have incorporated two additional references (Firincă et al. 2023; Giri et al. 2024) in the introduction section according to the reviewers’ recommendation, which further validates the scientific premise of our methodology. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

2. The author should also include recent studies on lead removal.

Response: While numerous study references were already added throughout the original manuscript, in response to the reviewer’s comment, we added additional references to elevate the technical depth of our strategy and provide a clear idea of the practical application. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

3. The author should include a schematic diagram to visually illustrate the proposed mechanism for better clarity and understanding.

Response: A description of key mechanisms, such as ion exchange, metal complexation, and bioaccumulation, has been included in the revised manuscript along with a diagram (Figure 5) showing each of the mechanisms according to the reviewers’ recommendation. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

4. The author should include an analysis of cost, scalability, and resource availability, particularly in local contexts like Bangladesh, to validate real-world implementation.

Response: We have included information in the conclusion regarding the cost-effectiveness and resource availability of our proposed lactic acid bacterial treatment, ensuring its smooth implementation in Bangladesh and validating the practical applicability of this strategy according to the reviewers’ recommendations. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

5. There are several instances of word repetition throughout the manuscript; please review and revise these sections for improved clarity and readability.

Response: We have revised the manuscript accordingly.

6. Authors should include the conclusion of the review as a separate topic.

Response: The manuscript has been revised, and a separate conclusion section has been added to it, concisely summarizing the key study findings and implications according to the reviewers’ recommendation. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

7. Pb+2 should be Pb⁺² throughout the manuscript.

Response: We have revised the manuscript accordingly. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall, this review is recommended for publication with minor revisions. Please refer to the attached document for detailed comments. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 Processes-3710906

Reviewer 2

The review titled "Biological approach for lead (Pb) removal from meat and meat products in Bangladesh" is recommended for publication in Processes with minor revision.

Response: We appreciate the reviewer’s constructive feedback. We have revised the manuscript accordingly. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

Comments

1. Inaccurate Data Representation in Figure 2

Response: Upon revision of the data provided in Figure 2, discrepancies were identified and corrected according to the reviewers’ recommendations. The new modified chart is added in Figure 2, accurately representing the original source Bokhtiar et al. (52). While the distinction between Pb contamination among market setups wasn’t shown in Figure 2, it is illustrated separately in Figure 4 in the revised manuscript, corresponding to the original source Bokhtiar et al. (52). All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

2. Data Omission and Sequence Error in Figure 4

Response: The sequencing error has been addressed and corrected in the appropriate lines of the revised manuscript, along with the error found in the Pb levels, based on the reviewers’ recommendations. In the original manuscript, only four sources of meat were included in Figure 4, as the remaining sources were less commonly consumed. However, the revised Figure 3 now includes all relevant data as reported by Chowdhury et al. (22) for the sake of transparency. All changes made in the revised manuscript have been marked in yellow.

3. Missing Citations for Figures 2-4

Response: Appropriate citations have been placed on relevant lines according to the reviewers’ recommendations, and all relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

4. Incomplete Strain Identification and Data in Table 1

Response: The strain names for the LABs have been modified and updated in Table 1 based on the reviewers’ recommendations. Table 1 demonstrates several probiotic lactic acid bacteria that are commonly found in Bangladesh, along with their Pb removal ability. The prevalence of some strains is limited in Bangladesh and was excluded from the data. All changes made in Table 1 have been marked in yellow.

5. Insufficient Detail in Biosorption Mechanisms (Section 4)

Response: A description of key mechanisms, such as ion exchange, metal complexation, and bioaccumulation, has been included in the revised manuscript along with a diagram (Figure 5) showing each of the mechanisms according to the reviewers’ recommendation. All relevant changes in the revised manuscript are marked in yellow.

6. Misleading Title for Figure 5

Response: The title of Figure 6 (Figure 5 in the original manuscript) has been changed to “Hypothesized LAB treatment for lead decontamination from meat” to reflect the figure’s illustrative purpose more accurately, according to the reviewers’ suggestion. This adjustment ensures better alignment between the figure’s content and its description, eliminating any potential misinterpretation. All relevant changes in the figure are marked in yellow.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf