Plant Based Food Additives

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Plant Based Food Additives

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Plant phytochemicals have long been known to defend plants from viruses, bacteria, fungus, and herbivores, but it was only recently discovered that they are also important in protecting humans from disease. Humans consume a large portion of therapeutic plants, and their use promotes human health and well-being in general. It is generally recognised that a wide variety of herbs, vegetables, fruits, and grains contain a wide range of physiologically active chemicals in addition to nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These bioactive components, as well as their origins as functional foods, have recently received a lot of attention.

Fig.1. General Classification of Bioactive Compounds of Plants (Intech Open .com)

The phrase “functional food” was coined in Japan to describe foods that, in addition to fundamental essential nutrients, contain components that are helpful to human health, such as ingredients that lower the risk of chronic diseases, improve health, and lengthen lifespan. As a result, food’s principal purpose is to not only relieve hunger and give essential nutrients, but also to prevent diseases and improve physical and mental health.

Microbial food safety is a persistent, global issue that has an impact on consumer health. Alternative sources of natural, bioactive, and antibacterial compounds are needed due to increased resistance of microbes to chemicals used for technology line disinfection, as well as decreasing susceptibility to synthetic preservatives. According to the data presented, various fruits, herbs, spices, phytochemicals, and their mixes have strong antibacterial and antiadhesive properties against foodborne pathogens, food spoilage bacteria, yeasts, and moulds, as well as human pathogens.

Reference:

https://www.intechopen.com/books/food-additives/food-preservatives-from-plants

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