Delving into Agri-Food Waste Composition for Antibacterial Phytochemicals

The overuse of antibiotics in the healthcare, veterinary, and agricultural industries has led to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), resulting in significant economic losses worldwide and a growing healthcare problem that urgently needs to be solved. Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites, making them an area of interest in the search for new phytochemicals to cope with AMR. A great part of agri-food waste is of plant origin, constituting a promising source of valuable compounds with different bioactivities, including those against antimicrobial resistance. Many types of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids, tocopherols, glucosinolates, and phenolic compounds, are widely present in plant by-products, such as citrus peels, tomato waste, and wine pomace. Unveiling these and other bioactive compounds is therefore very relevant and could be an important and sustainable form of agri-food waste valorisation, adding profit for local economies and mitigating the negative impact of these wastes' decomposition on the environment. This review will focus on the potential of agri-food waste from a plant origin as a source of phytochemicals with antibacterial activity for global health benefits against AMR.

Automated summary

The overuse of antibiotics has led to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), causing economic losses and a healthcare problem that needs urgent attention. Plants can produce secondary metabolites, making them a potential source for new phytochemicals to combat AMR. Agri-food waste of plant origin contains valuable compounds, including those with antimicrobial properties. Unveiling and utilizing these bioactive compounds can be impactful in terms of economic profit and environmental sustainability. This review focuses on the potential of agri-food waste as a source of phytochemicals with antibacterial activity against AMR for global health benefits.