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Molecules
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Antimicrobial Compounds and Biocontrol Strategies in Food Microbiology and Safety
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Antimicrobial Compounds and Biocontrol Strategies in Food Microbiology and Safety

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1874

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. María José Benito

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: food microbiology; beneficial microbes; natural bioactive compounds; prebiotic; food safety; proteins; enzymes; food quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rocío Casquete Palencia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avd. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: food microbiology; starter cultures; bioactive compounds; protective strains; prebiotic; food quality; food safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue invites original research articles and reviews focused on the use of antimicrobial compounds from diverse sources—including natural, synthetic, and microbial origins—in addition to the application of beneficial microorganisms for biocontrol in food and crop systems. We welcome contributions that investigate the inhibition of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms (bacteria and molds) through in vitro and in vivo studies, covering food matrices and agricultural environments. Studies addressing mechanisms of action (such as membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, or interference with microbial communication) and resistance management are especially encouraged. The issue aims to provide a broad perspective on current and emerging antimicrobial strategies to enhance food safety, shelf-life, and sustainable production. Submissions covering formulation challenges, synergistic effects, real-world applications, and regulatory considerations are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. María José Benito
Dr. Rocío Casquete Palencia
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial compound
  • natural
  • synthetic
  • microbial
  • application
  • biocontrol
  • food
  • crop
  • agricultural
  • pathogenic
  • spoilage
  • bacteria
  • mold
  • in vitro
  • in vivo
  • mechanisms of action
  • membrane disruption
  • enzyme inhibition
  • interference with microbial communication
  • resistance management

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

27 pages, 1842 KB  
Review
Endophytic and Epiphytic Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents: Mechanisms, Applications, and Metagenomic Approaches in Tomato Cultivation
by Phathutshedzo Rakhalaru, Beverly Mmakatane Mampholo, Tshifhiwa Paris Mamphogoro and Mapitsi Silvester Thantsha
Molecules 2025, 30(18), 3816; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183816 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 286
Abstract
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an essential crop worldwide, yet it remains highly vulnerable to severe fungal and bacterial diseases. Traditional chemical-based disease management strategies, aimed at controlling these diseases face increasing scrutiny, due to concerns regarding pathogen resistance, environmental degradation, and [...] Read more.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is an essential crop worldwide, yet it remains highly vulnerable to severe fungal and bacterial diseases. Traditional chemical-based disease management strategies, aimed at controlling these diseases face increasing scrutiny, due to concerns regarding pathogen resistance, environmental degradation, and potential health risks to humans. This has catalyzed the exploration of sustainable alternatives, with biological control emerging as a viable and promising strategy. Endophytic and epiphytic microorganisms are pivotal as biocontrol agents (BCAs), employing diverse strategies, such as generating antimicrobial substances, enzymes, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), to suppress pathogen growth and enhance plant health. The efficacy of these antagonistic microorganisms is influenced by the cultivation systems employed, with significant variations observed between soil and hydroponic environments. Factors such as nutrient dynamics and microbial interactions play crucial roles in determining the success of BCAs in these different settings. The advent of metagenomic tools has transformed the landscape of microbial community research, facilitating the identification of functional genes associated with antagonistic activities and the adaptation of these microorganisms to diverse environmental conditions. This review aims to elucidate the potential of endophytic and epiphytic microorganisms in biological control, examining their mechanisms of action, the impact of cultivation systems on their effectiveness, and the application of metagenomics to optimize their use in sustainable disease management strategies for tomato crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Compounds and Biocontrol Strategies in Food Microbiology and Safety)
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28 pages, 2130 KB  
Review
Bacteriophage Power: Next-Gen Biocontrol Strategies for Safer Meat
by Magdalena Efenberger-Szmechtyk and Agnieszka Nowak
Molecules 2025, 30(17), 3641; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30173641 - 6 Sep 2025
Viewed by 966
Abstract
Lytic bacteriophages, viruses that attack and kill bacteria cells, can be used in food as biocontrol agents to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Meat is highly susceptible to bacterial growth, including pathogenic species, the control of which is crucial. Antibiotic use by [...] Read more.
Lytic bacteriophages, viruses that attack and kill bacteria cells, can be used in food as biocontrol agents to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Meat is highly susceptible to bacterial growth, including pathogenic species, the control of which is crucial. Antibiotic use by breeders has resulted in bacterial resistance, which remains a huge problem; bacteriophages have emerged as an interesting alternative. In the literature, the influence of bacteriophages on common foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella sp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, and Shigella sp., has been described. Some phage preparations can show synergistic effects when used with other antimicrobial agents. However, data on the use of bacteriophages to inhibit the growth of meat spoilage bacteria are limited. Bacteriophages can also synthesize endolysins, which possess antimicrobial properties. Contrary to bacteriophages, which are active against only a narrow range of microorganisms (usually one bacterial species), endolysins show a broad spectrum of activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Compounds and Biocontrol Strategies in Food Microbiology and Safety)
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