Afrinal Firmanda, Misri Gozan, Retno Wahyu Nurhayati, Farah Fahma, Efri Mardawati, Sri Suhartini, Kasbawati, Muhammad Adly Rahandi Lubis, Petar Antov
Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound derived from biomass and agro-industrial residues that exhibits significant antimicrobial bioactivity. It inhibited the proliferation of foodborne bacteria and fungi and biofilm formation, which are precursors to food contamination. However, its efficacy is often limited by intrinsic constraints, such as low thermodynamic stability, poor aqueous solubility, and susceptibility to degradation. To overcome these limitations, various technical interventions have been developed to strengthen its molecular interactions and stability. This article reviews the antimicrobial mechanism of FA and strategies to enhance its efficacy through structural and technical interventions. The key findings indicate that structural modifications and conjugation are carried out through the synthesis of chemical derivatives, grafting onto antimicrobial polymers, and combining with other phenolic compounds to increase affinity for microbial cell membranes—emulsion formation with essential oils and photo-inactivation to enhance cellular penetration. Combinations with antibiotics or specific antimicrobial agents aim to lower the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) while mitigating the risk of microbial resistance. Although challenges in oxidation and sensory alterations (changes in taste/aroma) remain, it is concluded that the strategy to enhance the FA antimicrobial activity transforms it from a sensitive natural extract into a robust, multifunctional agent used as a functional additive, bioactive agent in packaging material, stabilizer/emulsifier, and crosslinker. This evolution is crucial for developing sustainable food preservation systems that effectively replace synthetic chemical preservatives by transforming biomass/agroindustrial residue. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, 16424, Indonesia; Research Center for Biomass Valorization, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, 16424, Indonesia; Division of Agroindustrial Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, IPB University, West Java, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia; Department of Agroindustrial Technology, Faculty of Agroindustrial Technology, Universitas Padjadjaran, West Java, Jatinangor, 45363, Indonesia; Research Collaboration Center for Biomass and Biorefinery between BRIN and Universitas Padjadjaran, West Java, Jatinangor, 45363, Indonesia; Department of Agro-industrial Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia; Applied Mathematics Laboratory, Department of Mathematics, Hasanuddin University, South Sulawesi, Makassar, Indonesia; Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Faculty of Forest Industry, University of Forestry, Sofia, 1797, Bulgaria
