The Zataria multiflora belongs to the medicinal plants family, which urges the need for evaluating its Antimicrobial effects in food products.The aim of the study is evaluating the antimicrobial effects of Zataria multiflora essential oils on bacterial growth of Listeria monocytogenes in roast-chicken fillets at 10 °C. The roast-chicken fillets weighing 25 grams were prepared, sterilized, and different concentrations of Zataria multiflora essential oils of (0, 0.045, 0.135, 0.405 and 0.810%) and 0.2% Agar and 1% Lysitine were kept at 5 °C for 24 ± 2. Then, the roast-chicken fillets were separated with the condition that 1× 103 bacteria would be present at the days 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21. The given essential oil had a significant effect on controlling and preventing the Listeria monocytogenes growth in roast-chicken fillets during the experiment. By increase the concentration to 0.405%, the inhibitory effect was significantly increased (P< 0.05). The Organolyptic analysis showed that the 0.405% essential oil content has resulted in an improved fish flavor. The Zataria multiflora essential oils can be used as a natural preservative (stabilizer) in the roast-chicken fillets.
Zataria multiflora, Listeria monocytogenes, Roast-chicken fillets, Plant essential oil
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