Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by natural antimicrobial

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate antimicrobial activity of essential oil from plants as natural antimicrobial to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes. A total of 6 essential oil extracted from galangal (Alpinia galanga), ginger (Zingiber officinale), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), orange skin (Citrus sinensis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and turmeric (Curcuma longa). By using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), the highest and lowest antimicrobial activity of essential oil to inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes was found on lemongrass oil (0.32 % ± 0.12 %) and turmeric (7.46 % ± 2.79%), respectively. By using disc diffusion assay, the highest antimicrobial activity to against L. monocytogenes was shown by lemongrass oil (7.46 ± 2.79 mm). There is no antimicrobial activity observed in orange peel oil. Out of the essential oil tested, lemongrass oil showed the most promising natural antimicrobial to inhibit L. monocytogenes.