title: Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from three ecotypes of Zataria multiflora.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Zataria multiflora Boiss. is a traditional and popular spice in Iran. The effects of 3 ecotypes (ECTPs) of Z. multiflora essential oils (EOs) against most common causes of food-borne and nosocomial infections were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antimicrobial activities of the EOs were examined by broth microdilution method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The chemical compositions of the EOs from 3 ECTPs of Z. multiflora have been analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the EOs indicated that 3 chemotypes were present in Z. multiflora, including carvacrol, thymol-carvacrol, and linalool, whereas previous studies have only found carvacrol and thymol. Inhibition studies showed that the tested EOs entirely inhibited the growth of yeasts at concentrations of less than 1 μL/mL. Moreover, the oils exhibited significant bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at concentrations ranging from 0.12 to 8 μL/mL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the EOs from Z. multiflora should be investigated further for possible use in antimicrobial products and food preservatives.
authors.affiliation: Center of Basic Researches in Infectious Diseases, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zomorodian
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Saharkhiz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bandegi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shekarkhar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bandegani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pakshir
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bazargani