The aim of this work was characterize the essentials oils (EOs) obtained from Santolina chamaecyparissus and Sideritis angustifolia determining (1) its chemical composition and (2) its effectiveness on the growth of some bacteria related to food spoilage, such as Listeria innocua, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas fragi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Aeromonas hydrophila, Shewanella putrefaciens, Alcaligenes faecalis, Achromobacter denitrificans, Enterobacter amnigenus, Enterobacter gergoviae and Leuconostoc carnosum. The EOs were chemically analyzed and identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, while the agar disc diffusion method was used to determine their antibacterial activities. The concentration effect was also determined. In S. chamaecyparissus, the major constituents were artemisia ketone (27.19%), dihydroaromadendrene (18.21%) and β‐phellandrene (7.49%), while in S. angustifolia EO, the major constituent is α‐pinene (12.71%). Another important compound was β‐phellandrene (11.97%). The agar disc diffusion method indicated that S. chamaecyparissus EO showed the highest antibacterial activity against the L. innocua and A. hydrophila, with inhibition zones of 12.70 and 16.50 mm, respectively. S. angustifolia EO showed the highest antibacterial activity against A. faecalis, S. marcescens and A. denitrificans. S. chamaecyparissus and S. angustifolia EOs can be used as antibacterial agents.
Practical Applications
The research on plant‐based natural bioactive compounds to control the foodborne and spoilage pathogens has attained special interest in the recent years. The use of essential oils of Santolina chamaecyparissus and Sideritis angustifolia as antibacterial agents will be suitable for applications on the food industry as natural preservatives or flavoring to control foodborne pathogens. Another important reason for their suitability is their natural origin, which consumers find comforting.