Ethanolic extract of cinnamon bark (1% w/v) reduced the aerobic growth of bacteria inoculated fresh-cut apples significantly during storage at 6°C up to 12 d. Catechin, chlorogenic acid, and phloridzin, 3 phenolic compounds that are abundant in apple processing byproducts, exhibited varying degree of inhibitory action toward the growth of tested food pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, fungi, and yeasts [2]. However, it is important to note that these phenolics (except 25 mM phloridzin) did not inhibit the probiotic bacterium Lac. rhamnosus suggesting no or minimal threat to the beneficial colon microflora, if the phenolics are used as food additives at the desirable concentrations. Also these authors suggest that the major phenolic compounds of apple byproducts could find use as food additives. The use of natural,
non-synthetic, additives is of great interest to the food industry due to consumer demand for products free of toxic residues. Therefore, there is a need to explore the possibility of using natural products with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity [29].