In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of eugenol, limonene, and citrus extract against bacteria and yeasts, representative of the spoiling microflora of fruit juices

J Food Prot. 2010 May;73(5):888-94. doi: 10.4315/0362-028x-73.5.888.

Abstract

This article reports on the investigation on the bioactivity of eugenol, limonene, and citrus extract against three bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, and Bacillus coagulans) and three yeasts (Saccharomyces bayanus, Pichia membranifaciens, and Rhodotorula bacarum), representing the spoilage microflora of fruit juices. The experiments were performed with laboratory media by using a microdilution method. Data were fitted using the Gompertz equation, and the kinetic parameters were used to evaluate the MIC and the dose-dependent effect (at suboptimal doses for each essential oil). Citrus extract was the most effective essential oil, and the results suggested the following susceptibility hierarchy, from the most sensitive microorganism to the most resistant one (values in parentheses represent MICs): S. bayanus (2 ppm) > R. bacarum (3 ppm) > P. membranifaciens (5 ppm) > B. coagulans (cells, 20 ppm) > L. brevis (40 ppm) > L. plantarum (>40 ppm).

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus / drug effects
  • Bacillus / growth & development
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / growth & development
  • Beverages / microbiology*
  • Citrus / chemistry
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Cyclohexenes / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Eugenol / pharmacology
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control*
  • Food Preservation / methods
  • Food Preservatives / pharmacology
  • Fruit / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Lactobacillus / drug effects
  • Lactobacillus / growth & development
  • Limonene
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Terpenes / pharmacology
  • Yeasts / drug effects*
  • Yeasts / growth & development

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cyclohexenes
  • Food Preservatives
  • Plant Extracts
  • Terpenes
  • Eugenol
  • Limonene