Abstract

Food is the primary substance needed by humans to survive. However, food is easily contaminated by spoilage bacteria, which cause a decrease in quality and shelf life. Moreover, spoilage bacteria in food can be pathogenic, leading to foodborne diseases that endanger human health. This issue has also driven the widespread use of synthetic preservatives, which have negative effects both in the short and long term. Biopreservation efforts utilizing bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria offer an alternative solution to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of food. These bacteriocins are safe to use as they are produced by lactic acid bacteria that are approved for use in food. The application of various types of bacteriocins as biopreservatives has been widely conducted. Several other types of bacteriocins are continuously being researched and developed to ensure their safety and suitability for use as food biopreservatives. This article highlights bacteriocins, including their classification, general overview, mechanisms of action, differences from antibiotics, diversity, applications, prospects, and challenges as future food biopreservatives. Additionally, this article presents commercial bacteriocins, namely nisin and pediocin PA-1, which are frequently used for food preservation.