Antimicrobials from Mushrooms for Assuring Food Safety

Citation

Shen, H.-S., Shao, S., Chen, J.-C. and Zhou, T. (2017), Antimicrobials from Mushrooms for Assuring Food Safety. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, 16: 316–329. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12255

Plain language summary

This review article was written in response to consumers’ preferences for foods that are free of chemical preservatives while still microbiologically safe. One of the best sources of natural antimicrobials is certain mushrooms as many of them not only have nutraceutical functions but also possess antimicrobial properties. This article summarized the current available information on mushroom antimicrobials for food safety control. It includes available resources, extraction procedures, antimicrobial activities, and the status of their applications to food safety. The review indicates that there are great potential benefits to be gained from mushroom antimicrobials in food production, processing, and preservation as a bio-solution to meet the increasing demands for food quality and safety.

Abstract

The interest in discovering and developing natural antimicrobials has significantly increased due to consumer preferences for foods that are free of chemical preservatives while still microbiologically safe. One of the best sources of natural antimicrobials is certain mushrooms (fungi) as many of them not only have nutraceutical functions but also possess antimicrobial properties. This article reviews the available information on mushroom antimicrobials for food safety control. It includes available resources, extraction procedures, antimicrobial activities, and the status of their applications to food safety. The review indicates that there are great potential benefits to be gained from mushroom antimicrobials in food production, processing, and preservation as a biosolution to meet the increasing demands for food quality and safety.

Publication date

2017-02-09