Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Activity of Natural Products: Approaches and Challenges

Abstract

The plants possess a variety of bioactive compounds, which have an array of biological activities. Many synthetic drugs have their origin from some plant-based compounds. Most spices and herbs exert antimicrobial activity against different microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, and molds) and can be used as food preservatives. Besides, some plants have antimicrobial effects against human and plant pathogens. In the last decades, plant-based antimicrobials have received considerable attention, because plants produce secondary metabolites in abundance, known to possess antimicrobial activity. Some of these metabolites are carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and so on.