Melissa officinalis essential oil as an antimicrobial agent against Listeria monocytogenes in watermelon juice. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carvalho, Filomena; Coimbra, Alexandra T.; Silva, Lúcia; Duarte, Ana P.; Ferreira, Susana
• Is Part Of: Food microbiology. Volume 109(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Listeria monocytogenes -- Essential oil -- Melissa officinalis -- Antimicrobial activity -- Food preservation -- Leafy greens -- Watermelon; Food Microbiology -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Food -- Microbiology; Periodicals; Food -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Food contamination -- Periodicals; 664.001579
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2022.104105
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0740-0020

Abstract

Abstract: The burden of foodborne illness has a negative effect on public health, but also in countries' economy. Melissa officinalis is an aromatic plant known for its biological properties, including antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. This work highlighted M. officinalis essential oil's antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, presenting a bactericidal action and being able to inhibit some virulence attributes, such as biofilm formation. The pre-exposure of the bacterium to subinhibitory levels of essential oil (0.125 μL/mL) did not induce high tolerance to stresses (such as high temperature, low pH, osmotic stress and desiccation) or cross-resistance with antibiotics, while not modifying the invasion ability to Caco-2 cells. When applied in food model media (lettuce, chicken and milk) and watermelon juice, the essential oil showed to have antimicrobial activity in a lettuce leaf model medium, further diminishing L. monocytogenes contamination and inhibiting the natural microbiota present in watermelon juice. M. officinalis essential oil shows potential to be used as control of L. monocytogenes in watermelon juice, while increasing the food's microbial shelf life. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Melissa officinalis essential oil had strong antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes . Quorum sensing and biofilm formation were inhibited by MOEO. MOEO did not induce higher tolerance to stresses, cross-resistance or virulence. MOEO had strong activity against L. monocytogenes in vegetable food models. MOEO inhibited the growth of watermelon juice's natural microbiota.