Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University Food Safety and Packaging 3092-7668 2 2 2026 08 15 Biological control of Salmonella on egg surfaces using plant-based compounds: A review 87 96 122017 10.30466/fsp.2026.57392.1035 EN Nurten Yilmaz Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Vocational School of Karaisali, Cukurova University, Adana, Türkiye Biotechnology Research and Application Center, Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye 0000-0003-3867-509X Journal Article 2026 07 18 <em>Salmonella</em> contamination of shell eggs is a major public health concern worldwide and continues to challenge the poultry industry. Although conventional chemical sanitizers are effective, concerns regarding chemical residues, environmental impact, and consumer demand for clean-label products have accelerated interest in plant-derived antimicrobials. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of essential oils and plant extracts for controlling <em>Salmonella</em> on eggshell surfaces. Particular attention is given to the antimicrobial mechanisms of major bioactive compounds, including thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and phenolic-rich plant extracts. The review also discusses practical application strategies, including washing, spraying, nanoemulsion-based delivery, and active packaging, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing antimicrobial stability and prolonging egg shelf life. Finally, current challenges related to formulation standardization, industrial scalability, and regulatory approval are addressed, together with future perspectives for integrating plant-derived antimicrobials into sustainable egg sanitation systems. https://fsp.urmia.ac.ir/article_122017_8a4c8d4824bb059c867e4039acfc9abd.pdf