A possible explanation for the stimulatory effect of phenolic
compounds on bacterial growth would be that some microorganisms
are able to use these compounds as substrates. Certain bacterial
species, like lactobacilli, possess the ability to metabolize phenolic
compounds during growth and therefore polyphenols would be
supplying energy to cell. An additional consideration is that phenolic
compounds, besides affecting positively bacteria metabolism, can
enhance nutrients consumption, as sugars (Alberto et al., 2001;
Alberto et al., 2004; García-Ruiz et al., 2008).