Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of phytochemicals: Current status and future perspective

Abstract With increase in green consumerism these days, the demand for plant-based antimicrobial and antioxidant agents by health-conscious consumers is increasing day by day as a preferred alternative to synthetic preservatives. Plants are the richest source of a wide variety of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, sulfur-containing groups, terpenes, and terpenoids that possess enormous antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. In spite of enormous potential, only a handful of plant-based bioactive compounds or formulations are commercially available as preservative agents. The major obstacles that limit the commercial uses of plant-based bioactive compounds are insufficient availability of raw materials, toxicity, low stability, high production cost, unknown mode of action, and lack of effective regulatory system. This chapter provides a brief overview of historical accounts of traditionally used plant products that possess antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. In addition, the current existing limitations and the potential role of recent advancement in science and technology to overcome the existing limitations with improved efficacy and worldwide applicability have been discussed.