27 May 2024 | Haoran Lin, Ziyu Li, Yue Sun, Yingyue Zhang, Su Wang, Qing Zhang, Ting Cai, Wenliang Xiang, Chaoyi Zeng, Jie Tang
D-limonene is a promising and sustainable natural bioactive compound with broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, and medicinal potential. This review highlights its biological activities and discusses its applications in food preservation and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of nanoencapsulation technology to enhance its physicochemical properties and practical applications. D-limonene, a monoterpene found in various plant essential oils, exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, as well as anthelmintic and insecticidal effects. Its hydrophobicity and sensitivity to environmental factors limit its direct use in food systems, but nanoencapsulation techniques improve its stability and bioavailability. D-limonene also shows promise in agriculture as a non-hazardous alternative to chemical pesticides, with enhanced stability and control over release and bioavailability through nanoencapsulation. The review covers the production methods of D-limonene, its antimicrobial mechanisms, and its broader pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiviral properties. Despite its potential, further research is needed to evaluate its side effects and optimize its applications.D-limonene is a promising and sustainable natural bioactive compound with broad-spectrum antimicrobial, anthelmintic, insecticidal, and medicinal potential. This review highlights its biological activities and discusses its applications in food preservation and agriculture, emphasizing the importance of nanoencapsulation technology to enhance its physicochemical properties and practical applications. D-limonene, a monoterpene found in various plant essential oils, exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, as well as anthelmintic and insecticidal effects. Its hydrophobicity and sensitivity to environmental factors limit its direct use in food systems, but nanoencapsulation techniques improve its stability and bioavailability. D-limonene also shows promise in agriculture as a non-hazardous alternative to chemical pesticides, with enhanced stability and control over release and bioavailability through nanoencapsulation. The review covers the production methods of D-limonene, its antimicrobial mechanisms, and its broader pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiviral properties. Despite its potential, further research is needed to evaluate its side effects and optimize its applications.