## 4 Biocontrol Methods
### Probiotics  
Probiotics, including bacteria of the genus _Bifidobacterium_ and probiotic yeasts, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria such as _L. monocytogenes_ and can be used to maintain the original properties of food products, including dairy products such as milk and cheese. They also improve the flavor and extend the shelf life of foods. In recent years, research has highlighted the role of probiotics in food preservation, especially in dairy and meat products. Although probiotics cannot completely replace existing preservatives, they can help reduce their use. Probiotics are a promising solution to control contamination with _L. monocytogenes_ and other pathogenic bacteria, thus offering a safer and less invasive alternative to chemical preservatives [98; 99]. Although there are numerous studies that have demonstrated the effect of probiotics against pathogenic bacteria in vivo, their effects on _L. monocytogenes_ in vitro are not as well documented [100]. Current research has mainly focused on LAB, but there are few data available on the activity of other probiotics, such as _Bifidobacterium_ and yeasts, on _L. monocytogenes_. In addition, the mechanisms of virulence inhibition and biofilm formation by probiotics are not systematically described [101; 102]. Another aspect that requires attention is the effect of probiotics on the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria and on biofilm formation. Although bacterios produced by probiotics have shown the ability to inhibit biofilm formation, the specific mechanisms by which probiotics influence these processes remain unclear and require further investigation [98; 103]. Probiotics, such as _Lactiplantiobacillus plantarum_, _Lactiplantiobacillus sakei_, and _Lactiaseiobacillus__thumosus_, have been shown to be effective in controlling the growth of _L. monocytogenes_ in various food products. Dairy products, which are ideal substrates for these pathogenic bacteria due to their high water activity and low preservative content, are an area where the effects of probiotics have been intensively studied. Studies have shown that probiotics can inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms in these products, thus extending their shelf life [104]. Although probiotics inhibit the colonization of _L. monocytogenes_, they do not always completely eliminate these bacteria. In this context, the combined use of probiotics with other antimicrobial methods (chemical, biological, or physical) may have a synergistic effect, compensating for the possible shortcomings of each method used individually. For example, the combination of probiotics with physical treatments, such as ultraviolet radiation or the use of hydrogen peroxide (H\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{2}\)), could enhance the antibacterial effects. However, some of these methods could inactivate probiotics, which requires careful screening of combined methods to avoid diminishing the effect of probiotics [85]. Research has highlighted the effect of probiotics on the reduction of _L. monocytogenes_ in dairy products such as Gorgonzola and Minas cheese. The effectiveness of LAB, such as _Lactokallus rhamnus_, in controlling _L. monocytogenes_ has been demonstrated, as they have excellent resistance to acids and bile salts, making them effective in food environments [105]. Probiotic metabolites, such as organic acids and exopolysaccharides, have shown significant antimicrobial effects against _L. monocytogenes_. However, the stability and efficacy of these compounds under real food processing conditions remain to be evaluated [106; 107]. Prevention of _L. monocytogenes_ contamination in the dairy industry through the use of probiotics requires studies that take into account pathogenic variations between different bacterial strains and specific food processing conditions, such as temperature and storage period. In addition, it is necessary to explore combinations of probiotics that provide increased efficacy against a broader spectrum of pathogens. Current studies have shown that the use of probiotics to control _L.