ABSTRACT
Biocontrol stands out as the best alternative to agrochemical usage in extending shelf life of fruits and vegetables (F&V). The microorganisms that qualify as biocontrol agents have to be ascertained to determine whether they are suitable to be present in large numbers on edible commodities, such as F&V, besides testing their effect on the environment. Probiotics have earned a good name as microorganisms having both prophylactic and therapeutic effects. Both disciplines, that is, biocontrol and probiotics, being research involving microbes, face similar predicaments, such as problems faced in determining safety and efficacy of organisms, production in large quantities as well as during formulation of commercial products. If knowledge emanating from research on these two disciplines could be integrated, then the biocontrol organisms used will be both effective and safe and as a result their chance of getting approval in the hands of the legislators would be higher. Additionally, a probiotic antagonist will improve the acceptability of F&V treated with it, not only because they would have a prolonged shelf life but also because such a treatment has the ability to enhance the health-promoting properties of F&V. The obstacles along the way to realizing this goal are discussed based on the information provided in a recently published article on the subject of developing probiotic antagonists.
