Chapter 23 - Circular, bioeconomy, and gross domestic product perspective of essential oils in the food industry

Abstract

Food must be kept alive and healthy while being prepared, transported, and stored according to modern food handling procedures. Since ancient times, essential oils (EOs), which are important aromatic components of herbs and spices, have been employed for a variety of reasons in perfumery, food preservation, flavoring, and medicinal. The particular antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of EOs demonstrate that they are more tolerated than other substances. This chapter focuses on the use of EOs as a natural preservative that is appropriate for use in food preservation, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other sectors, as well as the circular bioeconomy and gross domestic product viewpoint of EOs in the food business. As long as the causes of food spoilage and other health-related problems persist, strategies for long-term preservation and public health improvement must be developed. The use of natural products as fruit preservatives, the use of EOs as drugs and their pertinent components, uses and distribution routes, the circular bioeconomy and EOs, the use of EOs in food safety, and the essential oil's contribution to the gross domestic product of the food industry are discussed.