Ethyl lauroyl arginate: An update on the antimicrobial potential and application in the food systems: a review

Ethyl lauroyl arginate (ELA), a cationic surfactant with low toxicity, displays excellent antimicrobial activity against a broad range of microorganisms. ELA has been approved as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for widespread application in certain foods at a maximum concentration of 200 ppm. In this context, extensive research has been carried out on the application of ELA in food preservation for improving the microbiological safety and quality characteristics of various food products. This study aims to present a general review of recent research progress on the antimicrobial efficacy of ELA and its application in the food industry. It covers the physicochemical properties, antimicrobial efficacy of ELA, and the underlying mechanism of its action. This review also summarizes the application of ELA in various foods products as well as its influence on the nutritional and sensory properties of such foods. Additionally, the main factors influencing the antimicrobial efficacy of ELA are reviewed in this work, and combination strategies are provided to enhance the antimicrobial potency of ELA. Finally, the concluding remarks and possible recommendations for the future research are also presented in this review. In summary, ELA has the great potential application in the food industry. Overall, the present review intends to improve the application of ELA in food preservation.