Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity against the Listeria monocytogenes of Essential Oils from Seven Salvia Species

Abstract

In recent years, essential oils (EOs) have received interest due to their antibacterial properties. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the EOs obtained from seven species of Salvia on three strains of Listeria monocytogenes (two serotyped wild strains and one ATCC strain), a bacterium able to contaminate food products and cause foodborne disease in humans. The Salvia species analysed in the present study were cultivated at the Botanic Garden and Museum of the University of Pisa, and their air-dried aerial parts were subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus. The obtained EOs were analysed via gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for the evaluation of their chemical composition, and they were tested for their inhibitory and bactericidal activities by means of MIC and MBC. The tested Eos showed promising results, and the best outcomes were reached by S. chamaedryoides EO, showing an MIC of 1:256 and an MBC of 1:64. The predominant compounds of this EO were the sesquiterpenes caryophyllene oxide and β-caryophyllene, together with the monoterpenes bornyl acetate and borneol. These results suggest that these EOs may possibly be used in the food industry as preservatives of natural origins.

Functional Characterization and Catalytic Activity Improvement of Borneol Acetyltransferase from Wurfbainia longiligularis

“…Bornyl acetate (BA), a bicyclic monoterpenoid ester, is a typical volatile compound found in various plants such as Wurfbainia longiligularis, Wurfbainia villosa ( Zingiberaceae ), Inula graveolens ( Asteraceae ), Laurus nobilis ( Lauraceae ), among others. Plants that are rich in BA have multifaceted and significant medicinal properties. , In addition to their well-known anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, these plants also possess antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties, which make them useful in treating a wide range of conditions. , The effects of BA have been reported to include analgesic, antioxidant, whitening, anticancer, antitumor, antibacterial, insecticidal, and anesthetic properties. Furthermore, it has been found to have antianxiety effects when used in combination with other aromatic compounds in the volatile oil. , However, due to the production of toxic substances in the chemical synthesis of BA, it is primarily derived from plant extracts.…”

“…7,8 In addition to their well-known anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, these plants also possess antimicrobial and antidiarrheal properties, which make them useful in treating a wide range of conditions. 9,10 The effects of BA have been reported to include analgesic, antioxidant, whitening, anticancer, antitumor, antibacterial, insecticidal, and anesthetic properties. Furthermore, it has been found to have antianxiety effects when used in combination with other aromatic compounds in the volatile oil.…”

Towards Sulphite-Free Winemaking: A New Horizon of Vinification and Maturation

“…These extracts, rich in phenolic compounds recognized for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties [29], are being explored as potential substitutes for sulphides in wine production. Indeed, polyphenols, acting as scavengers of free radicals and natural metal chelators, are widely employed in the food industry to preserve oxidative stability and extend products' shelf life [30]. The demonstrated effectiveness of phenolic compounds and their derivatives in preventing autoxidation adds appeal to these natural preservatives [31][32][33][34].…”

Using the Essential Oils of Sage and Anise to Enhance the Shelf Life of the Williams (sin. Bartlett) Pear

“…SEO exhibits strong antimicrobial activity, especially for meat products, against: Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus megatherium, Bacillus subtilis, Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp. and Klebsiella oxytoca [6,[9][10][11].…”