Phenolic compounds and extracts with bioactive properties can be obtained from many kinds of plant materials. These natural substances have gained attention in the food research as possible growth inhibitors of foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Many phenolic-enriched plant extracts and individual phenolics have promising anti-quorum sensing potential as well and can suppress the biofilm formation and toxin production of food-related pathogens. Various studies have shown that plant phenolics can substitute or support the activity of synthetic food preservatives and disinfectants, which, by the way, can provoke serious concerns in consumers. In this review, we will provide a brief insight into the bioactive properties, i.e., the antimicrobial, anti-quorum sensing, anti-biofilm and anti-enterotoxin activities, of plant phenolic extracts and compounds, with special attention to pathogen microorganisms that have food relation. Carbohydrase aided applications to improve the antimicrobial properties of phenolic extracts are also discussed.

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Mobilization of phenolic antioxidants from grape, apple and pitahaya residues via solid state fungal fermentation and carbohydrase treatment

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Cellulolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic enzyme production of zygomycetes Mucor corticolus, Rhizomucor miehei, Gilbertella persicaria and Rhizopus niveus were investigated using agro-industrial wastes as substrates. Solid-state cultures were carried out on untreated corn residues (stalk and leaf) as single substrate (SSF1) or corn residues and wheat bran in mixed fermentation (SSF2). Rapid production of endoglucanase (CMCase) was observed with maximal activity reaching after about 48-h fermentation, while cellobiohydrolase (CBH) and β-glucosidase enzymes generally had their peak after 72-h incubation. Highest filter paper degrading (FPase), CMCase, CBH and β-glucosidase activities obtained were (U g -1 dss) 17.3, 74.1, 12.2 and 158.3, for R. miehei, G. persicaria, M. corticolus and Rh. niveus, respectively. M. corticolus proved to be the best lipolytic enzyme producer in SSF1 presenting 447.6 U g -1 dss yield, while R. miehei showed 517.7 U g -1 dss activity in SSF2. Rh. niveus exhibited significantly greater protease production than the other strains. Suc-AAPF-pNA hydrolyzing activities of this strain were 1.1 and 1.96 U g -1 dss in SSF1 and SSF2, respectively. We conclude that the used corn stalk and leaf residues could potentially be applicable as strong inducers for cellulase and lipase production by Mucoromycotina fungi.