Illuminating the future of food microbial control: From optical tools to Optogenetic tools

Light as an environmental signal can effectively regulate various biological processes in microbial systems. Optical and optogenetic tools are able to utilize light for precise control methods with minimal interference. Recently, research on these tools has extended to the field of microbiology. Distinguishing from existing reviews, this review narrows the scope of application into food sector, focusing on advances in optical and optogenetic tools for microbial control, including optical tools targeting pathogenic or probiotic bacteria for non-thermal sterilization, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, or photobiomodulation, combined with nanomaterials as photosensors for food analysis. As well as using optogenetic tools for more convenient and precise control in food production processes, covering reversible induction, metabolic flux regulation, biofilm formation, and inhibition. These tools offer new solutions to goals that cannot be achieved by traditional methods, and they are still maturing to explore other uses in the food field.