New frontiers in the exploration of phenolic compounds and other bioactives as natural preservatives

Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites widely distributed in the plant kingdom, valued for their strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These bioactive compounds are promising natural alternatives to artificial preservatives in the food industry, aligning with consumer demand for sustainable solutions that ensure food quality and safety. In this review, the structural complexity of bioactive phenolic compounds, which include their various subclasses and the chemical basis of their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, is explored. This review examines innovative extraction methods designed to preserve the bioactivity of these compounds. Additionally, it examines their incorporation as natural…