Investigation of the Possibilities to Use Biologically Active Components of Plant Extracts for Agro-Food Safety on the Example of Black Nightshade (Solanum Nigrum L.)

Abstract

Plants contain many natural compounds that have antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in natural antimicrobials, especially those derived from plants. The growing resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics leads to the search for potential alternatives – plant extracts. Plant extracts seem to be a promising solution to the problem of increasing resistance to microorganisms, and can also provide antioxidant protection for agro-food safety. One of the most promising and interesting plants is the black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.). Studies have been conducted to identify the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of this plant. The results revealed a high antioxidant capacity of the black nightshade leaves, and also showed an antimicrobial effect against some microorganism.