ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF VAINILLIN AND SOME ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINTS LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES IN SEMISKIM MILK

摘要

Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in several foodborne outbreaks associated with the consumption of refrigerated pasteurized milk. Interest in using of spices and essential oils (EOs) as natural food antimicrobial has increased in recent years. In addition, flavoured milk beverages with cinnamon and vanillin are traditionally consumed and are increasing in popularity. In this study the antimicrobial activity of vanillin, cinnamon bark, cinnamon leaf and clove EOs was tested against L. monocytogenes in semi-skimmed pasteurized milk incubated at 7°C for 14 days. The growth of L. monocytogenes was inhibited with 3000 ppm of cinnamon leaf and clove EOs, 500 ppm of cinnamon bark EO and 2500 ppm of vanillin. These results show the potential of using these products in refrigerated milk beverages as natural antimicrobials.