A Mini Review: Key Applications and Advances of Photodynamic Inactivation Against Bacteria in the Food Industry

ABSTRACT With the increasingly severe global food safety issues, food‐borne pathogenic bacteria pose a significant threat. The traditional thermal inactivation approach has drawbacks such as high energy consumption and potential damage to food quality. Moreover, the advantages of current non‐thermal inactivation techniques need to be further enhanced and extended. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI), an innovative non‐thermal inactivation approach, has garnered significant interest in the realm of food preservation owing to its eco‐friendly nature and remarkable antimicrobial efficacy. This paper aims to discuss the applications of PDI technology in the food antibacterial field. It encompasses the capacity to eliminate planktonic bacteria and biofilms, along with its potential for application in antibacterial packaging films. Furthermore, this study systematically examines the utilization of various natural photosensitizers within PDI systems, analyzes their distinct antimicrobial activities against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial strains, and evaluates innovative approaches to optimize the bactericidal performance of PDI technology. Overall, PDI technology exhibits a broad‐spectrum antibacterial effect. However, its inactivation potency against Gram‐negative bacteria and biofilms is relatively weak. Through measures such as optimizing photosensitizer performance, adding adjuvants, and adjusting the reaction environment, the inactivation efficiency of PDI technology can be notably enhanced. This comprehensive review aims to provide groundbreaking perspectives and strategic guidance for the implementation of PDI technology in food safety applications, as well as to inspire the advancement of next‐generation antimicrobial solutions. Significantly, this contributes to effectively addressing food microbial contamination issues and safeguarding food safety. Moreover, it holds promise for promoting the widespread application and in‐depth development of PDI technology in related fields like food packaging.