Role of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oil as a surface fungus inhibitor on fermented sausages: evaluation of its effect on microbial and physicochemical characteristics.
Oregano essential oil (OEO) was evaluated to determine its effect on the growth of natural contaminating molds on the surface of Spanish fermented sausage, the development of the internal microbial population of the sausage, and the physicochemical properties of the sausage. Results  indicated a dramatic reduction in the contaminant molds. At the end of ripening, the main endogenous fungal species in control samples were Mucor racemosus (55%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.6%), Cladosporium sphaerospermum (11.1%), Acremonium strictum (7.9%), and  Aspergillus niger (4.7%). In samples treated with OEO, M. racemosus and A. fumigatus were the only species isolated; the treatment was more effective against A. fumigatus than against M. racemosus. The use of OEO to inhibit surface fungi did not affect the  sausage drying process, pH, water activity, or color changes during ripening. These parameters change in a typical pattern for fermented dry-cured sausages during ripening. At the end of ripening, OEO-treated sausages had lower hardness and greater chewiness than the control but showed similar  textural properties to sausages treated with potassium sorbate.
Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti, Università di Teramo, Via Carlo Lerici, 1, 64023 Mosciano Stazione TE, Italy.
Clemencia
C
Chaves-López
Ana María
AM
Martin-Sánchez
Evangélica
E
Fuentes-Zaragoza
Manuel
M
Viuda-Martos
Juana
J
Fernández-López
Esther
E
Sendra
Estrella
E
Sayas
José
J
Angel Pérez Alvarez
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005285:Fermentation; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology; D031341:Origanum / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils