Phenolic compounds commonly occurring in fruits, vegetables and tea were studied for their effects on Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E.c.) and Salmonella Typhimurium (S.T.) in brain–heart infusion broth (BHI) and meat system. Incubated at 37C for 72 h in BHI, gentistic, benzoic and vanillic acids inhibited L.m., E.c and S.T. at 5,000 µg/mL by 2.8 to 3.0 log CFU/mL, 2.8 to 3.0 log CFU/mL and 2.7 to 2.9 log CFU/mL, respectively. Encapsulation of benzoic acid (1,100 µg/mL) in polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanoparticles inhibited 6.5 log CFU/mL of L.m. and S.T., and 6.0 log CFU/mL of E.c. at 48 h. In raw and cooked chicken meat systems, nanoparticle delivery of benzoic acid was effective against S.T. and L.m. (1.0 and 1.6 log CFU/g reduction of S.T. and 1.1 and 3.2 log CFU/g reduction of L.m. compared with 1.2 log CFU/g without nanoparticles on the days 9 and 14 of storage, respectively). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of phenolics on pathogen reduction delivered by nanoparticles and their potential for commercial food safety applications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Nanotechnology is an emerging and promising technology that has been advocated for the delivery of antimicrobial phenolic compound extracts to effectively inhibit foodborne pathogens. The method improves the rate of inhibition compared with conventional delivery and retains the antimicrobial efficacy for a longer time. This hurdle technology using natural antimicrobials (phenolic compounds) and nanoparticle‐mediated delivery system can effectively decontaminate foodborne pathogens and improve food safety. Phenolic compounds can be used as natural and safer alternatives to chemical disinfectants in food systems and delivered using nanoparticles to better control pathogens for commercial food safety applications.

About 40000 people fall victim to Salmonella infections every year in the United States. Recent occurrences of Salmonella contaminated spinach and its recalls have accelerated the need for efficient antimicrobials targeting these pathogens. Our study was aimed at evaluating the inhibitory properties of malic, tartaric, and lactic acids, and grape seed extract (GSE) alone and in combinations and their application methods against Salmonella Typhimurium-inoculated spinach using a response surface method. Fresh spinach leaves were washed, disinfected with sodium hypochlorite solution (0.04% v/v), rewashed with sterile deionized (DI) water, and inoculated with a 2nd-day culture of S. Typhimurium (7.0 log CFU/mL). Adhered S. Typhimurium population on day 0 were 7.5 log CFU/g. These were treated with individual and combinations of organic acids with GSE or DI water (control) adjusted to the same pH as that of the test solutions with both the modes of application and leaves were refrigerated at 4 °C. Malic acid (2%) in combination with GSE (3%) or lactic acid (3%) sprayed electrostatically showed reductions of 2.6 to 3.3 log CFU/g compared to lower log reductions (0.0 to 0.3 log CFU/g) by day 14 if sprayed conventionally. These findings indicate that malic acid in combination with GSE/lactic acid solutions applied by electrostatic spraying exhibited higher inhibition of pathogens than conventional spraying and can be used for commercial applications to enhance food safety.

Electrostatic spraying is an emerging technique that can be adopted to improve the distribution and application of antimicrobials during fresh produce sanitation. Relatively simple and quick, the process can access most/all parts of produce surface and offer protection from food pathogens. The use of malic and lactic acids with or without grape seed extract can serve as effective antimicrobials when sprayed electrostatically, lowering the risk from postcontamination issues with spinach and iceberg lettuce. This application technology can be extended to improve the commercial food safety of other produce, fruits, poultry, and meat.

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This paper focuses on the critical aspects of supplementation of foods with essential fatty acids (EFAs), the need, health benefits of supplementation and the constraints of the process. Current trend of supplementation of foods with EFAs has been gaining momentum and more research pioneers due to the health benefits in par with the direct intake of EFA supplements. Technologies including encapsulation, nanotechnology, molecular complexing, genetic engineering and more emerging means, hold promise to food supplementation with EFAs. Food trials with adoption of various technologies, studies of bioavailability and health benefits are still underway and crucial before EFA supplementation in foods can hit the market on a global scale.