Antimicrobial activities of different agents including pyrophyllite against foodborne pathogens: A brief review

There has been worldwide an increasing interest and more strict criteria for food/feed safety including absence or reduction of the total number of microorganisms (bacteria, moulds and yeasts). Besides heavy metals, materials of biological origin (plant extracts, bio waste, chitosan etc.), some mineral adsorbents also have antimicrobial properties. There is much information about the antibacterial activity of the modified bentonite, montmoriollonite, smectute, zeolites and antifungal activity of various metal ion-exchanged zeolites and natural mineral clay, but there is almost no information about the antimicrobial properties of pyrophyllite, a monoclinic mineral from the group of phyllosilicates. This work summarizes the recent developments of antimicrobial agents and their application, current research, and trends in the area, highlighting pyrophyllite and its potential applications. Pyrophyllite, an unexploited mineral, possesses antimicrobial properties such as antibacterial and antifungal activities against foodborne pathogens which contributes to the protection of consumer?s health and preservation of the environment. Results from preliminary investigations indicate that pyrophyllite showed antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and antifungal properties against fungal pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum, Phoma glomerata and Rhizoctonia solani). This mineral can also be used for biological control of F. oxysporum in the soil for growing potato.