The Efficacy of Plant Extracts Against Key Food-Borne Pathogens: A Mechanistic, Applications, and Advances

The dual challenge of rising antimicrobial resistance and consumer demand for natural preservatives threatens global food safety. In this context, plant-derived polyphenolic extracts offer a potent and sustainable solution. These compounds exhibit potent activity against key food-borne pathogens responsible for diseases ranging from diarrhea to gastrointestinal ulcers, as well as pathogen-associated inflammatory conditions linked to long-term gastrointestinal complications. This review synthesizes current research on the efficacy of polyphenolic extracts as antimicrobial agents. I detail their diverse mechanisms of action, evaluate their potential for medical applications, and discuss their integration into advanced food preservation systems to meet modern safety and sustainability standards. Collectively, these insights highlight the potential of plant-derived polyphenolic extracts as sustainable tools for improving food safety in modern food systems.