Edible coatings containing oils from oregano and other sources can destroy food-borne microbes, enhancing the safety and shelf life of fresh food, according to a team of chemists at the University of Lleida in Spain and at the US Department of Agriculture in Albany, California.
Essential oils of some plants act as food preservatives and are safe to eat, USDA's Dr Tara H. McHugh told Reuters Health. "We have made films without antimicrobial activity from many different fruits and vegetables, and found that natural essential oils can easily be incorporated, which improves the overall quality of the film."