Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Thyme and Clove Essential Oils and Application in Minced Beef

Abstract

In this study, thyme and clove essential oils (EOs) were studied for their chemical composition, antioxidant, antiradical and antibacterial activity and application in ground beef. Carvacrol (75.27%) and eugenol (75.2%) were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis as the main components of thyme and clove EOs, respectively. Broth microdilution method showed all bacteria inhibited by the EOs, while Shewanella putrefaciens and Listeria innocua were the most resistant bacteria to thyme and clove EOs, respectively. EO treatment restricted the growth of artificially inoculated Salmonella typhimurium and native Coliforms in the ground beef. Antioxidant activity determined by ferric-reducing antioxidant power and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl methods demonstrated that clove EO had higher in vitro antioxidant activity than thyme EO. Similar results were obtained in ground beef application using 2-thiobarbituric acid value. EOs of clove (2MIC) exerted remarkable higher antioxidant activity in ground beef than EOs of thyme (4MIC), which represent valid alternative antioxidant in meat products. Practical Applications Plant essential oils (EOs) serve as a “safe” alternative to chemical or synthetic antimicrobials and antioxidants to struggle with the foodborne pathogens or spoilage organisms, inhibiting lipid oxidation and thus extending shelf life. Antioxidant activity determined by ferric-reducing antioxidant power and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl methods showed that clove EO had higher in vitro antioxidant activity than thyme EO. Results obtained using 2-thiobarbituric acid value in ground beef application were found similar. EOs of clove (2MIC) exerted higher antioxidant activity in ground beef than EOs of thyme (4MIC). Therefore, EOs could be a valid alternative antioxidant in meat products.