Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils from Nepeta cataria L. against Common Causes of Food-Borne Infections.

Kamiar Zomorodian,Keyvan Pakshir,Mohammad Javad Rahimi,Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz,Samaneh Shariati,Reza Khashei

doi:10.5402/2012/591953

Kamiar Zomorodian, Keyvan Pakshir + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/591953

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Abstract

Nepeta cataria L. is traditionally consumed as a food additive. The effects of three different harvest stages of N. cataria essential oils (EOs) against most common causes of food-borne infections were evaluated by broth microdilution method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The chemical composition of the EOs from N. cataria has been analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The analysis of the EOs indicated that 4a-α,7-α,7a-β-nepetalactone (55–58%) and 4a-α,7-β,7a-α-nepetalactone (30–31.2%) were the major compounds of the EOs at all developmental stages. The results showed that the tested EOs exhibited antimicrobial activities against the food-borne pathogens at concentrations of 0.125–2 μL/mL. Based on these results, the EO of N. cataria can possibly be used in food products as a natural preservative agent.

Highlights

IntroductionAromatic plants have been used for flavoring and medicinal properties [1, 2]
For thousands of years, aromatic plants have been used for flavoring and medicinal properties [1, 2]
The results showed that the tested essential oils (EOs) exhibited antimicrobial activities against the food-borne pathogens at concentrations of 0.125– 2 μL/mL

Summary

Introduction

Aromatic plants have been used for flavoring and medicinal properties [1, 2]. These plants represent a renewable source of flavoring substances and are commonly used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products [3, 4]. The family Nepeta (Lamiaceae) with the common Persian name “puneh” includes a large number of volatile oil plants that are wildly distributed in Europe, Asia, North America, and the mountains of tropical Africa [9]. Nepeta cataria (Catnip), a tropical aromatic plant belonging to this family, is native to Asia and Southeast Europe. In Iran and some other countries, fresh or dried leaves and flowers of N. cataria are used in making sauces, soups, and cheese [11]

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