Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteriditis by combinations of plant oils and derivatives of benzoic acid: the development of synergistic antimicrobial combinations.

L Fyfe, F Armstrong, J Stewart

Index: Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 9(3) , 195-9, (1997)

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Abstract

This study describes inhibitory properties of combinations of oil of fennel, oil of anise or oil of basil with either benzoic acid or methyl-paraben against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteriditis. Micro-organisms were cultured at 37 degrees C in broth and viable counts measured over a 48-h period. S. enteriditis was particularly sensitive to inhibition by a combination of oil of anise, fennel or basil with methyl-paraben where there was < 10 CFU/ml after 1 h. L. monocytogenes was less sensitive to inhibition by each combination however there was a significant reduction in growth of 4-8 log by combinations of all oils and methyl-paraben at 8, 24 and 48 h. Synergistic inhibition by one or more combinations was evident against each micro-organism.