A multifaceted approach to harness probiotics as antagonists on plant based foods, for enhanced benefits to be reaped at a global level

Abstract

Investigations into probiotics have focused on their health benefits thus far, with some of the findings finally reaching the food and pharmaceutical industries, which have used them for commercial purposes. In biocontrol research some microbes, mainly isolated from plants, have shown antagonism towards both enteric and plant pathogens, and some of them represent probiotic species. Fresh fruits and vegetables are regarded as health-promoting dietary constituents, and if probiotics could be used to control the pathogens on them then they could turn out to be even healthier. The fresh produce industry still depends on agrochemicals and the increase in the demand for high-priced organically grown produce indicates consumer concerns regarding the use of agrochemicals. If the potential of probiotic organisms to serve as biocontrol agents for fresh produce is exploited, all fresh produce can be made as safe as organically grown produce, and much more wholesome. This review appraises the feasibility of such a move by evaluating how research has progressed in both disciplines (probiotic and biocontrol) and suggests sharing results from research via information technology, efficient collaboration, and the use of novel molecular biological tools to achieve the objective of probiotic antagonists. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Characterization, health benefits and applications of fruits and vegetable probiotics

“…Some bacteriocins such as nisin, enterocin, bovicin, bificin and pediocin have proven to be successful in FV preservation against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms (Barbosa et al, 2017). Bacteriocins are produced in situ by probiotics culture incorporated on the surface of fruits or vegetables and/or on the packaging materials (Karunaratne, 2018). With bioprocessing technology advancement, bacteriocins can be added in FV in the purified or semi-purified forms.…”