Exploitation of the Antibacterial Properties of Photoactivated Curcumin as 'Green' Tool for Food Preservation

In the search for non-chemical and green methods to counteract the bacterial contamination of foods, the use of natural substances with antimicrobial properties and light irradiation at proper light waves has been extensively investigated. In particular, the combination of both techniques, called photodynamic inactivation (PDI), is based on the fact that some natural substances act as photosensitizers, i.e., produce bioactive effects under irradiation. Notably, curcumin is a potent natural antibacterial and effective photosensitizer that is able to induce photodynamic activation in the visible light range (specifically for blue light). Some practical applications have been investigated with particular reference to food preservation from bacterial contaminants.

Automated summary

In the search for non-chemical and green methods to counteract bacterial contamination of foods, the combination of natural substances with antimicrobial properties and light irradiation, known as photodynamic inactivation (PDI), has been extensively studied. Curcumin, in particular, has shown to be a potent natural antibacterial and effective photosensitizer that can activate under visible light, particularly blue light. Practical applications have been investigated for food preservation and prevention of bacterial contaminants.