Advances in the use of biocontrol applications in preharvest and postharvest environments: a food safety milestone

Abstract

Increasing concerns toward food safety and public health have rendered the use of synthetic chemicals in agricultural environments unacceptable. A shift toward biologically safe approaches has been considered a preferred strategy within the food handling chain and has received increasing attention over the past years in managing undesirable microbial growth. Although several studies have looked at the mode of action of most antagonists, the manipulation of microbial communities in food safety has not been fully explored. Very little is known about the effect of microbial diversity and composition in developing a healthy environmental approach for pathogen management in the farm to fork continuum. In view of the progress made in recent years in metagenomic technologies, information generated should be used to develop a dynamic approach that will consider a comprehensive approach involving environmentally friendly strategies in dealing with food losses caused by microbes to ensure food safety. Thus, this review includes information on the latest biocontrol applications to suppress undesirable microbial growth and extend fresh produce shelf life along the farm to fork continuum. The role of recent trends related to the potential of microbiomes in food safety and quality is further discussed. The use of physical treatments against pathogen growth is also highlighted.