Activity of Essential Oils Against Food Spoilage Fungi

Abstract

Fungi are organisms that feed from organic matter and act as parasites in living organisms. They are found in different environments and their growth in food products has become a global concern, as well as the resistance to commercial fungicides, due to the economic damage generated by food deterioration and the harmful effects on human health. Thus, the search for new natural fungicides has increased, such as essential oils from plants that have been promising in combating fungi, improving the quantity and quality of foods with low toxicity. This chapter aimed to carry out a bibliographical review on promising essential oils in combating fungal species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Alternaria, Candida and Cladosporium, the main food spoilage, and their constituents.