Recent Advancement in Polyphenols as Potential Antibacterial Agents: A Comprehensive Review

New molecules of natural origin with antibacterial properties are urgently required to control antibiotic resistance. Worldwide, antibiotic resistance is a key threat due to non-judicious and incongruous use of antibiotics. Researchers are focusing on identifying molecules from plant biodiversity that could have both antioxidant and antibacterial properties in one molecule. Much importance has been given to the polyphenolic compounds from food commodities. The roles of dietary habits in disease prevention have been credited to the presence of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. Polyphenols are secondary metabolites with manifold vital roles, including antibacterial activity. Numerous mechanisms like bacterial membrane destruction, destruction of virulence factors, inhibition of the enzymes activity and toxins have been reported for antibacterial activity. Also, hydroxyl, alkyl and acetate moiety on aromatic nucleus influences both antioxidant and antibacterial activities. In this review, details are summarized concerning the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the key polyphenolic compounds.