In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of eugenol, limonene, and citrus extract against bacteria and yeasts, representative of the spoiling microflora of fruit juices.
This article reports on the investigation on the bioactivity of eugenol, limonene, and citrus extract against three bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, and Bacillus coagulans) and three yeasts (Saccharomyces bayanus, Pichia membranifaciens, and Rhodotorula bacarum), representing the spoilage microflora of fruit juices. The experiments were performed with laboratory media by using a microdilution method. Data were fitted using the Gompertz equation, and the kinetic parameters were used to evaluate the MIC and the dose-dependent effect (at suboptimal doses for each essential oil). Citrus extract was the most effective essential oil, and the results suggested the following susceptibility hierarchy, from the most sensitive microorganism to the most resistant one (values in parentheses represent MICs): S. bayanus (2 ppm) > R. bacarum (3 ppm) > P. membranifaciens (5 ppm) > B. coagulans (cells, 20 ppm) > L. brevis (40 ppm) > L. plantarum (>40 ppm).
Bevilacqua
Antonio
A
Department of Food Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science, Istituto per la Ricerca e le Applicazioni Biotecnologiche per la Sicurezza e la Valorizzazione dei Prodotti Tipici e di Qualità (BIOAGROMED), Foggia University, Via Napoli 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
Corbo
Maria Rosaria
MR
Sinigaglia
Milena
M
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001628:Beverages / Q000382:microbiology*; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005054:Eugenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D000077222:Limonene; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D005520:Food Preservatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013729:Terpenes; D005054:Eugenol; D000077222:Limonene