Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from three ecotypes of Zataria multiflora.
Pharmacogn Mag 2011;
7:53-9. [PMID:
21472080 PMCID:
PMC3065158 DOI:
10.4103/0973-1296.75902]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 12/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
Zataria multiflora Boiss. is a traditional and popular spice in Iran. The effects of 3 ecotypes (ECTPs) of Z. multiflora essential oils (EOs) against most common causes of food-borne and nosocomial infections were evaluated.
Materials and Methods:
The antimicrobial activities of the EOs were examined by broth microdilution method as recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The chemical compositions of the EOs from 3 ECTPs of Z. multiflora have been analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Results:
Analysis of the EOs indicated that 3 chemotypes were present in Z. multiflora, including carvacrol, thymol-carvacrol, and linalool, whereas previous studies have only found carvacrol and thymol. Inhibition studies showed that the tested EOs entirely inhibited the growth of yeasts at concentrations of less than 1 μL/mL. Moreover, the oils exhibited significant bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at concentrations ranging from 0.12 to 8 μL/mL.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that the EOs from Z. multiflora should be investigated further for possible use in antimicrobial products and food preservatives.
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