title: Use of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil in food preservation: Recent advances and future perspectives.
abstract: The economic burdens and health implications of food spoilage are increasing. Contamination of food sources by fungi, bacteria, yeast, nematodes, insects, and rodents remains a major public health concern. Research has focused on developing safer natural products and innovations to meet consumers' acceptance as alternatives to synthetic food preservatives. Many recent novel preservative techniques and applications of both natural and synthetic origin continue to proliferate in food and chemical industries. In particular, some essential oils of plant origin are potent food preservatives and are thus attractive alternatives to synthetic preservatives. This paper provides an overview of recent advances and future prospects in assessing the efficacy of the use of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) essential oil in food preservation. The possible mechanisms of action and toxicological profile as well as evidence for or against the use of this essential oil as an alternative to synthetic food preservatives in domestic and industrial applications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiology , Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo , Uyo , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christopher E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ekpenyong
authors.affiliation: a Department of Physiology , Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo , Uyo , Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ernest E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Akpan
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031743:Cymbopogon / Q000737:chemistry*; D005519:Food Preservation; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005658:Fungi; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D005520:Food Preservatives; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D009822:Oils, Volatile
keywords: Lemongrass essential oil; food spoilage; microbes; shelf life