Advances in Photosensitizer-Mediated Photodynamic Inactivation for Antimicrobial Applications in Food

Abstract Addressing the critical challenge of foodborne microbial contamination, photodynamic inactivation (PDI) emerges as a promising green antimicrobial strategy. However, existing reviews lack discussion on the rational optimization of PS systems and the practical deployment of PDI in complex food matrices. From an application-oriented perspective, this review analyzes the developmental features and multifaceted antimicrobial mechanisms of PS, outlines emerging applications of PDI technology within complex food matrices and evaluates how matrix factors influence PDI efficiency across different food products, highlighting its potential for pathogen inactivation, shelf-life extension, and the preservation of sensory quality. Furthermore, the review explores strategies to improve practical applicability of PDI, including the design of smart PS, the development of multifunctional delivery systems, and the use of synergistic preservation methods. Finally, it addresses key challenges regarding industrial scale-up, regulatory approval, and process standardization, aiming to offer theoretical guidance for the development of versatile, next-generation PDI platforms for food preservation.