An overview of the application of natural antimicrobial compounds from plant, animal and microbial origin in foods

Abstract

In recent years, the use of natural antimicrobial compounds in food has attracted the attention of consumers and researchers, the two main reasons for this is the excessive and incorrect use of antibiotics due to the selective pressure it exerts on microorganisms It creates resistance to antibiotics, thus increasing a group of microorganisms, including pathogens in food, which are not only resistant to antibiotics but also resistant to food processing and storage methods. Increasing public awareness of the potential negative effects of artificial preservatives on human health versus natural additives has led many researchers to focus more on the use of natural preservatives in food. Many compounds obtained from natural sources have antimicrobial properties and can be used to maintain food safety. Today, the use of food preservatives has become a necessity that plays an important role in the storage and transportation of food. The goals of adding preservatives to foods are to preserve the appearance of the food, to help preserve the organoleptic properties, and to increase the shelf life of the food. In this review article, we will examine the antimicrobial activity of some natural compounds obtained from different sources and their mechanism of action.