title: Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Satureja montana L. extracts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of extracts (aqueous, ethanolic and essential oil) from Satureja montana and to characterise the chemical composition of its essential oil.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Satureja montana L. essential oil had relatively high antimicrobial activities against the seven species of bacteria tested. In contrast, aqueous extracts did not reveal antibacterial activity, and the ethanol extract was not effective against Salmonella typhimurium. The major volatile constituents of the essential oil were carvacrol (306 g L(-1)), thymol (141 g L(-1)), and carvacrol methyl ether (63 g L(-1)). The strongest antioxidant capacity was obtained with the hot water extracts of S. montana, whereas the plant essential oil revealed the highest phenolic content.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that the bioactive extracts of S. montana have strong potential for use as natural antimicrobials and antioxidants in the preservation of processed food.
authors: Research Unit of Food Technology, National Institute of Biological Resources (INRB, I.P./INIA), Quinta do Marquês, Avenida da República, Nova Oeiras, 2784-505 Oeiras, Portugal.
authors: Carmo
authors: C
authors: Serrano
authors: Olívia
authors: O
authors: Matos
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Teixeira
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Ramos
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Neng
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Nogueira
authors: Maria Leonor
authors: ML
authors: Nunes
authors: António
authors: A
authors: Marques
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031362:Satureja / Q000737:chemistry*; D013943:Thymol / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013943:Thymol; C073316:carvacrol