title: Synergistic antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Cuminum cyminum L. seed and nisin in a food model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate effects of various concentrations of the essential oil of Cuminum cyminum L. seed alone and in combination with nisin on survival of vegetative forms of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis in a food model (commercial barley soup) and their ultrastructure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis indicated that cumin aldehyde (29·02%) and α-terpinen-7-al (20·70%) constituted the highest amount of the essential oil. The lowest concentration of the essential oil significantly affected the growth of the bacteria at 8°C but not at 25°C. Synergistic effect of the essential oil in combination with the lowest concentration of nisin was observed on the bacteria at 8°C. Evaluation of the sensory properties showed that concentration of 0·15 μl ml−1 of the essential oil was the most acceptable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The essential oil of C. cyminum L. seed showed the most bactericidal effects on B. cereus at 8°C. Ultrastructural studies of vegetative cells confirmed the synergistic destructive effects of the essential oil and nisin on membrane and cell wall of the bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Paraveterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pajohi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tajik
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Farshid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadian
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D028527:Cuminum / Q000737:chemistry*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005516:Food Microbiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009561:Nisin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D009561:Nisin