Activity of Thymus vulgaris essential oil against Anisakis larvae.
Anisakiasis is an important food-borne disease especially in countries with high fish consumption. The increase of cases of human disease and the virtual absence of effective treatments have prompted the research on new active compounds against Anisakis larvae. As well known, the disease is related to the consumption of raw or almost raw seafood products, but also marinated and/or salted fishery products, if the processing is insufficient to destroy nematode larvae can represent a risks for the consumers. In the light of the biocidal efficacy against different pathogens demonstrated for various essential oils, the aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO) against anisakidae larvae. The TEO at 10% and 5% concentration in oil sunflower seeds, caused in vitro the death of all larvae within 14 h, with cuticle and intestinal wall damages. The results obtained showing a significant activity against Anisakis larvae, suggest further investigation on TEO as a larvicidal agent and on its potential use in the industrial marinating process.
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario della Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy. Electronic address: fgiarratana@unime.it.
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Giarratana
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario della Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Muscolino
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario della Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Beninati
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario della Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Giuffrida
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario della Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Panebianco
D000818:Animals; D017163:Anisakis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005399:Fishes; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017747:Seafood / Q000469:parasitology; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; D000074242:Sunflower Oil
Anisakis; Essential oil; Food safety; Thyme