Antibacterial Activity of Different Essential Oils on Listeria Monocytogenes Strains Isolated From Ready-to-Eat Foods

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is one of the food-borne pathogens that cause major health problems worldwide. Application of essential oils (EOs) is used to control this pathogen and reduce microbial levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of 15 different EOs obtained from plants on L. monocytogenes strains from ready-to-eat foods. In this study, thyme oil (mean zone 24.850±3.714 mm) showed the highest antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes. Clove oil (mean zone 12.383±2.215 mm) and sage oil (mean zone 11.117±3.170 mm) were also determined high antibacterial activity. Ginger oil and garlic oil did not have any antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes strains. This study shows that using of EOs against food-borne pathogens in food systems could be useful.