Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a naturally occurring compound found in mustard, horseradish, and wasabi. Its traditional use in foods is primarily for flavor and as a preservative, but in recent decades, scientific studies have investigated its antimicrobial properties. In vitro studies have demonstrated that AITC exhibits bactericidal activity against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. The mechanism is believed to involve disruption of bacterial cell membranes and inhibition of cellular enzymes.

Despite this promising laboratory evidence, there is limited clinical research regarding AITC's efficacy for treating bacterial infections in humans. The majority of available data comes from food preservation studies and in vitro experiments, not from human clinical trials. Some animal model studies indicate antimicrobial effects, but these have not yet translated into established medical treatments. Thus, while there is scientific validation of its antibacterial properties in controlled settings, evidence for its therapeutic use in human infections is currently lacking, warranting a modest evidence rating.

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