Babett Greff
57215414116
Publications - 19
Nutritional and functional aspects of European cereal-based fermented foods and beverages
Publication Name: Food Research International
Publication Date: 2025-05-01
Volume: 209
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
European cereal-based fermented foods (ECBFFs) and alcoholic beverages have been fundamental components of regional diets for centuries, providing unique flavor profiles, essential nutrients, and a diverse array of health benefits. These foods, which encompass breads, beverages, and porridges, derive their functional and culinary properties from the activity of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. This review examines the nutritional and functional characteristics of ECBFFs, with a focus on their microbial composition and fermentation processes. It highlights various ECBFFs and alcoholic beverages, including conventional and sourdough breads, tarhana, boza, kvass, and beers examining their health-promoting properties and potential for commercial expansion. Key findings from the literature show that certain ECBFFs are abundant in prebiotics and probiotics, primarily due to the fermentation processes involving lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. These microorganisms generate bioactive compounds such as organic acids, bacteriocins, and phenolic compounds, which exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. ECBFFs can also enhance digestibility, improve mineral bioavailability, and support gut health, thereby promoting overall well-being. From a commercial perspective, products like Yosa and Proviva demonstrate the feasibility of developing innovative ECBFFs that align with contemporary dietary preferences. The future of ECBFFs is promising, offering extensive opportunities for research, innovation, and large-scale commercialization to meet the increasing consumer demand for functional, plant-based foods.
Open Access: Yes
The structure–function relationships and techno-functions of β-conglycinin
Publication Name: Food Chemistry
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 462
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
β-conglycinin (β-CG) is a prominent storage protein belonging to the globulin family in soybean (Glycine max) seeds. Along with other soybean proteins, it serves as an important source of essential amino acids and high-quality nutrition. However, the digestibility and nutritional value of β-CG are key factors affecting the nutritional profile of soy-based foods. The heterotrimeric, secondary, and quaternary structures of β-CG, particularly the spatial arrangement of its α, α’, and β subunits, influence its functional properties. Considering these aspects, β-CG emerges as a significant protein with diverse applications in the food and health sectors. Therefore, this review explores β-CG's composition, structure, function, health implications, and industrial uses. Salient discussions are presented on its molecular structure, nutrition, digestibility, allergenicity, and techno-functions including emulsification, solubility, gelling, and structure–function complexities. Overall, the multifaceted potential of β-CG in the healthcare sector and the food industry is evident.
Open Access: Yes
Action and immunomodulatory mechanisms, formulations, and safety concerns of probiotics
Publication Name: Bioscience of Microbiota Food and Health
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 44
Issue: 1
Page Range: 4-15
Description:
The global probiotics market has been continuously growing, driven by consumer demand for immune-enhancing functional foods, dietary supplements, and natural therapeutics for gastrointestinal and gut function-mediated diseases. Probiotic microorganisms represent a diverse group of strains with complex but generalized mechanistic patterns. This review describes the various immunomodulatory mechanisms by which probiotics exert their effects, including the competitive exclusion of pathogenic microbes, production of antimicrobial substances, modulation of the immune system, and improvement of gut barrier function. In addition, the various formulations and methods of delivery of probiotics and the safety concerns associated with these products are also discussed.
Open Access: Yes
Bioactive Potential of Actinobacteria Strains Isolated from the Rhizosphere of Lavender, Lemon Balm, and Oregano
Publication Name: Agriculture Switzerland
Publication Date: 2024-10-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize actinobacteria from the rhizosphere of medicinal and aromatic plants, specifically lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.). Rhizospheric soil samples revealed a high abundance of culturable actinobacteria (6.97–7.23 log10 CFU/g). Six isolates were selected for their promising enzymatic activities (lignin peroxidase, carboxymethyl cellulase) and antimicrobial properties. Isolates M345 and M162 exhibited the highest cellulase activity indices (3.19 ± 0.71 and 2.54 ± 0.22, respectively), with five isolates producing lignin peroxidase. These actinobacteria also demonstrated plant growth-promoting traits such as phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, along with strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. Additionally, they significantly enhanced maize seed germination, increasing the vigor index from 4283.33 ± 1264.37 to 6248.28 ± 1661.94 compared to that of the control. These results indicate that the isolated actinobacteria strains hold potential as microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture, contributing to soil health, plant growth, and pathogen management.
Open Access: Yes
The structure–activity relationship of marine peptides: a review
Publication Name: International Journal of Food Science and Technology
Publication Date: 2024-07-01
Volume: 59
Issue: 7
Page Range: 4437-4445
Description:
Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface and provide home to structurally diverse marine organisms. These creatures contribute to more than half of the biodiversity of the world and produce several bioactive molecules, including peptides. In the past years, scientific research has been focused on the compositions, sequences and structural features of marine-derived peptides. Based on their amino acid sequences, they have demonstrated a wide range of biological functions, including antithrombotic, antihypertensive, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiageing, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and other multifunctional activities that are based on their structure, hydrophobicity, binding affinity, charge and other factors. This review focuses on novel techniques used to produce marine peptides and explores the structure–function relationships of these peptides derived from representative phyla, namely Cnidaria, Annelida, Mollusca, Arthropoda, Chordata, Echinodermata and Porifera. Furthermore, notable considerations regarding the structure–function basis of marine peptide applications are discussed.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.17248
Futuristic advancements in phytoremediation of endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A: A step towards sustainable pollutant degradation for rehabilitated environment
Publication Name: Waste Management
Publication Date: 2024-04-30
Volume: 179
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 216-233
Description:
Bisphenol A (BPA) accumulates in the environment at lethal concentrations because of its high production rate and utilization. BPA, originating from industrial effluent, plastic production, and consumer products, poses serious risks to both the environment and human health. The widespread aggregation of BPA leads to endocrine disruption, reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA damage, epigenetic modifications and carcinogenicity, which can disturb the normal homeostasis of the body. The living being in a population is subjected to BPA exposure via air, water and food. Globally, urinary analysis reports have shown higher BPA concentrations in all age groups, with children being particularly susceptible due to its occurrence in items such as milk bottles. The conventional methods are costly with a low removal rate. Since there is no proper eco-friendly and cost-effective degradation of BPA reported so far. The phytoremediation, green-biotechnology based method which is a cost-effective and renewable resource can be used to sequestrate BPA. Phytoremediation is observed in numerous plant species with different mechanisms to remove harmful contaminants. Plants normally undergo several improvements in genetic and molecular levels to withstand stress and lower levels of toxicants. But such natural adaptation requires more time and also higher concentration of contaminants may disrupt the normal growth, survival and yield of the plants. Therefore, natural or synthetic amendments and genetic modifications can improve the xenobiotics removal rate by the plants. Also, constructed wetlands technique utilizes the plant's phytoremediation mechanisms to remove industrial effluents and medical residues. In this review, we have discussed the limitations and futuristic advancement strategies for degrading BPA using phytoremediation-associated mechanisms.
Open Access: Yes
Investigation on the physico-chemical properties of soil and mineralization of three selected tropical tree leaf litter
Publication Name: Environmental Research
Publication Date: 2024-02-15
Volume: 243
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Plant leaf litter has a major role in the structure and function of soil ecosystems as it is associated with nutrient release and cycling. The present study is aimed to understand how well the decomposing leaf litter kept soil organic carbon and nitrogen levels stable during an incubation experiment that was carried out in a lab setting under controlled conditions and the results were compared to those from a natural plantation. In natural site soil samples, Anacardium. occidentale showed a higher value of organic carbon at surface (1.14%) and subsurface (0.93%) and Azadirachta. indica exhibited a higher value of total nitrogen at surface (0.28%) and subsurface sample (0.14%). In the incubation experiment, Acacia auriculiformis had the highest organic carbon content initially (5.26%), whereas A. occidentale had the highest nitrogen level on 30th day (0.67%). The overall carbon-nitrogen ratio showed a varied tendency, which may be due to dynamic changes in the complex decomposition cycle. The higher rate of mass loss and decay was observed in A. indica leaf litter, the range of the decay constant is 1.26–2.22. The morphological and chemical changes of soil sample and the vermicast were substantained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Open Access: Yes
Chitinolytic Microbes for Pest Management in Organic Agriculture: Challenges and Strategies
Publication Name: Microbes Based Approaches for the Management of Hazardous Contaminants
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 224-241
Description:
Indiscriminative and uncontrolled use of chemical pesticides in agriculture has led to environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and poses serious threat to human health. Organic farming aims to produce food in way that is both socially and environmentally sustainable by using natural products for pest control and supplying nutrients. Pest management in organic agriculture is challenging due to low efficacy of most of reported bio-pesticides. Microorganisms, including Bacillus thuringiensis, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Lecanicillium muscarium have been used against insects traditionally but most of these are effective against few insects or groups. Chitinolytic microorganisms are reported to be efficient biocontrol agents against most insects as they can break down chitin, the main structural component of several insect pests. However, several challenges, including formulation and delivery, environmental factors, integration with other pest management techniques, and strict biosafety norms, hamper the large-scale production and adoption of such bioformulations. Strategies for the sustainable use of chitinolytic microorganisms in organic agriculture, including the development of novel formulations and delivery systems, integration with other pest management strategies, and education and training, are discussed in this chapter. With proper implementation of these strategies, the use of chitinolytic microorganisms could significantly contribute to sustainable pest management in organic agriculture.
Open Access: Yes
Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water environment: A review on toxicity, microbial biodegradation, systematic biological advancements, and environmental fate
Publication Name: Environmental Research
Publication Date: 2023-06-15
Volume: 227
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered a major class of organic contaminants or pollutants, which are poisonous, mutagenic, genotoxic, and/or carcinogenic. Due to their ubiquitous occurrence and recalcitrance, PAHs-related pollution possesses significant public health and environmental concerns. Increasing the understanding of PAHs' negative impacts on ecosystems and human health has encouraged more researchers to focus on eliminating these pollutants from the environment. Nutrients available in the aqueous phase, the amount and type of microbes in the culture, and the PAHs' nature and molecular characteristics are the common factors influencing the microbial breakdown of PAHs. In recent decades, microbial community analyses, biochemical pathways, enzyme systems, gene organization, and genetic regulation related to PAH degradation have been intensively researched. Although xenobiotic-degrading microbes have a lot of potential for restoring the damaged ecosystems in a cost-effective and efficient manner, their role and strength to eliminate the refractory PAH compounds using innovative technologies are still to be explored. Recent analytical biochemistry and genetically engineered technologies have aided in improving the effectiveness of PAHs' breakdown by microorganisms, creating and developing advanced bioremediation techniques. Optimizing the key characteristics like the adsorption, bioavailability, and mass transfer of PAH boosts the microorganisms' bioremediation performance, especially in the natural aquatic water bodies. This review's primary goal is to provide an understanding of recent information about how PAHs are degraded and/or transformed in the aquatic environment by halophilic archaea, bacteria, algae, and fungi. Furthermore, the removal mechanisms of PAH in the marine/aquatic environment are discussed in terms of the recent systemic advancements in microbial degradation methodologies. The review outputs would assist in facilitating the development of new insights into PAH bioremediation.
Open Access: Yes
Biocontrol Activity of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants and Their Bioactive Components against Soil-Borne Pathogens
Publication Name: Plants
Publication Date: 2023-02-01
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Soil-borne phytopathogens can have detrimental effects on both cereal and horticultural crops resulting in serious losses worldwide. Due to their high efficiency and easy applicability, synthetic pesticides are still the primary choice in modern plant disease control systems, but stringent regulations and increasing environmental concerns make the search for sustainable alternatives more pressing than ever. In addition to the incorporation of botanicals into agricultural practices, the diversification of cropping systems with aromatic and medicinal plants is also an effective tool to control plant diseases through providing nutrients and shaping soil microbial communities. However, these techniques are not universally accepted and may negatively affect soil fertility if their application is not thoroughly controlled. Because the biocontrol potential of aromatic and medicinal plants has been extensively examined over the past decades, the present study aims to overview the recent literature concerning the biopesticide effect of secondary metabolites derived from aromatic and medicinal plants on important soil-borne plant pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and nematodes. Most of the investigated herbs belong to the family of Lamiaceae (e.g., Origanum spp., Salvia spp., Thymus spp., Mentha spp., etc.) and have been associated with potent antimicrobial activity, primarily due to their chemical constituents. The most frequently tested organisms include fungi, such as Rhizoctonia spp., Fusarium spp., and Phytophthora spp., which may be highly persistent in soil. Despite the intense research efforts dedicated to the development of plant-based pesticides, only a few species of aromatic herbs are utilized for the production of commercial formulations due to inconsistent efficiency, lack of field verification, costs, and prolonged authorization requirements. However, recycling the wastes from aromatic and medicinal plant-utilizing industries may offer an economically feasible way to improve soil health and reduce environmental burdens at the same time. Overall, this review provides comprehensive knowledge on the efficiency of aromatic herb-based plant protection techniques, and it also highlights the importance of exploiting the residues generated by aromatic plant-utilizing sectors as part of agro-industrial processes.
Open Access: Yes
Xylopentose production from crop residue employing xylanase enzyme
Publication Name: Bioresource Technology
Publication Date: 2023-02-01
Volume: 370
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
To produce xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) from the agriculture waste, which included, green coconut and vegetable cocktail. The two pretreatment – hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid (HP-AC) and sodium hypochlorite-sodium hydroxide (SH-SH) – were used for this study. The optimal conditions for the pretreatment were 80 °C, 4.0 % NaClO, and 2 h, followed by 0.08 % NaOH, 55 °C, and 1 h. Further enzymatic hydrolysis of green coconut (GC) and vegetable cocktail (VC) were performed and found in case of GC, the best outcomes were observed. Different types of XOS were obtained from the treated biomass whereas a single type of XOS xylo-pentose was obtained in high quantity (96.44 % and 93.09 % from CG and VC respectively) with the production of other XOS < 2 %. This study presents a reasonably secure and economical method for turning secondary crop residue into XOS and fermentable sugars.
Open Access: Yes
Composting of medicinal and aromatic plant waste: challenges and opportunities
Publication Name: Recent Trends in Solid Waste Management
Publication Date: 2023-01-01
Volume: Unknown
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 115-136
Description:
Aromatic plants have been extensively used for their medicinal and culinary properties by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Along with the prosperous development of the herbal industry, however, enormous amounts of solid biomass have been generated, creating an environmental hazard. Since the waste material generated during harvesting, pre-processing, or extraction may retain its nutritional value, it can be converted to compost or vermicompost. Nonetheless, the addition of herbal residues to the feedstock material may negatively influence biodegradation due to the lower nitrogen content, increased lignocellulose content, and the remaining bioactive compounds. Overall, this book chapter discusses the current challenges that herbal waste composting/vermicomposting faces, provides insights into the process optimisation, and summarises the potential beneficial effects of mature compost.
Open Access: Yes
Valorization of spent mushroom substrate in combination with agro-residues to improve the nutrient and phytohormone contents of vermicompost
Publication Name: Environmental Research
Publication Date: 2022-11-01
Volume: 214
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
In recent years, enormous amounts of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) have been generated because of the rapid development of mushroom production. Since the conventional disposal methods of these residues can cause serious environmental problems, alternative waste management techniques are required to ensure sustainable agriculture. However, SMS might be not suitable for vermicomposting when used alone. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Azolla microphylla (Azolla) biomass, eggshells, fruit peels, and cassava pulp on the biodegradation process of SMS. The results showed the treatments supplemented with cassava pulp and fruit peel waste improved the growth of earthworms, while the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of these vermicomposts decreased significantly (p < 0.05) due to the improved total nitrogen contents (7.64 g kg−1 and 6.71 g kg−1). Concerning the degradation process and the vermicompost quality, the addition of these agro-residues facilitated the enzyme activities (cellulase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase) and increased the total macronutrient (P, K, Mg, and Ca) and phytohormone (fruit peel waste: AA, GA3, and cytokinin; cassava pulp: cytokinin) contents of the final products compared to the control treatment. On the other hand, Azolla had no additional effect on the fecundity and growth of Eudrilus eugenia. Meanwhile, the treatment supplemented with eggshells was high in Mg (7.15 g kg−1) and Ca (305.6 g kg−1). Overall, the combined decomposition of SMS-based bedding material with Azolla, eggshells, fruit peel waste, and cassava pulp resulted in mature organic fertilizers with improved chemical properties.
Open Access: Yes
Effect of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil and thymol on the microbiological properties of meat and meat products: A review
Publication Name: Heliyon
Publication Date: 2022-10-01
Volume: 8
Issue: 10
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Since foodborne diseases are often considered as one of the biggest public health threats worldwide, effective preservation strategies are needed to inhibit the growth of undesirable microorganisms in food commodities. Up to now, several techniques have been adopted for the production of safe and high-quality products. Although the traditional methods can improve the reliability, safety, and shelf-life of food, some of them cannot be applied without rising health concerns. Thereby, the addition of various phytochemicals has gained much attention during the last decades, especially for meat products that may be contaminated with pathogenic and spoilage organisms. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), as an important medicinal and culinary herb, is a promising source of bioactive compounds that have a great impact on the microbiological stability of meat by suppressing the undesirable microflora. However, the use of these antimicrobials is still facing difficulties due to their aromatic properties and variable efficacy against targeted species. In this paper, we provide an overview on the potential effects of thyme essential oil (EO) and thymol as bio-preservative agents in meat products. Furthermore, this paper provides insights into the limitations and current challenges of the addition of EOs and their constituents to meat commodities and suggests viable solutions that can improve the applicability of these phytochemicals.
Open Access: Yes
Synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles using butter fruit pulp extract and evaluation of their antibacterial activity against Providencia vermicola in Rohu
Publication Name: Journal of King Saud University Science
Publication Date: 2022-04-01
Volume: 34
Issue: 3
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Objective: Development of antimicrobial materials using nano approach and several industries like aquaculture greatly depend on novel biogenic materials. Biogenic techniques to develop nanomaterials with potent antimicrobial activity have been explored recently. The present study demonstrates the green synthesis of AgNPs using butter fruit (Persea americana) pulp extract and its antibacterial efficacy against the fish pathogen Providencia vermicola using Rohu fish. Results: The AgNPs were prepared and characterized using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The infrared spectroscopic analysis identified that the fruit biological molecules were involved in the stabilization of AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that particles size ranged from 20 to 50 nm. Further, the nanoparticles (5 µg) encapsulated fish feed were given to P. vermicola infected Rohu fish. The survival rate observed was 72 % in experimental group as compared to the control group. Total plate count and histopathological results indicated that the AgNPs treated groups showed significant reduction of bacterial population and restore the tissues in the normal range. Conclusion: The results suggest that the green synthesized (AgNPs) using butter fruit pulp have good efficiency in reducing the infection caused by P. vermicola in Rohu fish.
Open Access: Yes
Influence of microbial inoculants on co-composting of lignocellulosic crop residues with farm animal manure: A review
Publication Name: Journal of Environmental Management
Publication Date: 2022-01-15
Volume: 302
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The rapidly developing agro-industry generates huge amounts of lignocellulosic crop residues and animal manure worldwide. Although co-composting represents a promising and cost-effective method to treat various agricultural wastes simultaneously, poor composting efficiency prolongs total completion time and deteriorates the quality of the final product. However, supplementation of the feedstock with beneficial microorganisms can mitigate these negative effects by facilitating the decomposition of recalcitrant materials, enhancing microbial enzyme activity, and promoting maturation and humus formation during the composting process. Nevertheless, the influence of microbial inoculation may vary greatly depending on certain factors, such as start-up parameters, structure of the feedstock, time of inoculation, and composition of the microbial cultures used. The purpose of this contribution is to review recent developments in co-composting procedures involving different lignocellulosic crop residues and farm animal manure combined with microbial inoculation strategies. To evaluate the effectiveness of microbial additives, the results reported in a large number of peer-reviewed articles were compared in terms of composting process parameters (i.e., temperature, microbial activity, total organic carbon and nitrogen contents, decomposition rate of lignocellulose fractions, etc.) and compost characteristics (humification, C/N ratio, macronutrient content, and germination index). Most studies confirmed that the use of microbial amendments in the co-composting process is an efficient way to facilitate biodegradation and improve the sustainable management of agricultural wastes. Overall, this review paper provides insights into various inoculation techniques, identifies the limitations and current challenges of co-composting, especially with microbial inoculation, and recommends areas for further research in this field.
Open Access: Yes
Effect of bacterial inoculation on co-composting of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) waste and cattle manure
Publication Name: 3 Biotech
Publication Date: 2021-06-01
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Cellulomonas flavigena and Streptomyces viridosporus, as a bacterial inoculant, on the compostability of post-extraction lavender waste. The major physicochemical, microbiological, and biological properties of the composting materials were monitored for 161 days. The technology developed was shown to improve the compostability of recalcitrant herbal residues. The use of lavender waste beneficially affected the composting process by extending the thermophilic phase, accelerating the degradation of organic matter, and elevating the viable counts of useful microorganisms; however, adverse effects were also observed, including an increased carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (19.05) and a decreased germination index (93.4%). Bacterial inoculation was found to preserve the nitrogen content (2.50%) and improve the efficiency of biodegradation. The Salmonella- and Escherichia coli-free final composting products were mature, stable, and ready for soil application. To the authors’ knowledge, no previous research has investigated the compostability of lavender waste. Likewise, this is the first study that has used strains of C. flavigena and S. viridosporus in combination to facilitate a composting process.
Open Access: Yes
Co-composting with herbal wastes: Potential effects of essential oil residues on microbial pathogens during composting
Publication Name: Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
Publication Date: 2021-01-01
Volume: 51
Issue: 5
Page Range: 457-511
Description:
Because of the increasing use of herbal essential oils (EO) in pharmacology, medicine, and food processing, global EO production grows at a rapid rate, generating large amounts of plant residues worldwide. The use of herbal residues for co-composting with various wastes offers a novel option for eco-friendly and cost effective waste management. However, the biologically active compounds remaining in the herb residues may affect microbial activity in the composting biomass, thereby influencing final compost quality. In this review, we summarize and evaluate current literature on the occurrence and survival of pathogens in composts, the beneficial effects of using herbal residues as bulking agents, and the potential antipathogenic effects of six herb species belonging to the Lamiaceae family as follows: lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and sage (Salvia officinalis L.).
Open Access: Yes
Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties of Commercial Essential Oils on Foodborne Pathogens in a Liver Pâté-Type Product
Publication Name: Chemical Engineering Transactions
Publication Date: 2023-01-01
Volume: 107
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 253-258
Description:
In the past, several efforts have been made to find suitable substitutes for synthetic preservatives in meat products with fewer side effects on human health. Essential oils have gained worldwide interest due to their antimicrobial activity. The addition of these aromatic compounds to foods may be hampered by their strong sensory characteristics (taste and smell). The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of five essential oils (EOs) (Ocimum basilicum L., Origanum vulgare L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia officinalis L., and Thymus vulgaris L.) against important foodborne pathogens. First, a microdilution assay was carried out to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the EOs against Staphylococcus (Staph.) aureus ATCC 6538, Salmonella (S.) enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Escherichia (E.) coli ATCC 25922. Since the EOs inhibited the growth of these bacteria, their activity was studied in a real food matrix. The in vivo test was performed on the model of liver pâté: the homogenized and heat-treated samples were formulated with EOs at concentrations of 1 MIC and 2 MIC, inoculated with bacterial suspensions (105 CFU/g), packaged under vacuum, and stored at 4 ºC for 3 days. The addition of 2 MIC of thyme and sage oils showed a significant reduction in the viable counts of E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and Staph. aureus compared to the control samples. Overall, this study demonstrated that thyme and sage EOs, as natural preservatives, had great potential to prevent the growth of important foodborne pathogens (E. coli, S. Typhimurium, and Staph. aureus) in liver pâté, but their efficiency was highly dose-dependent. However, the tested concentrations of EOs (1 MIC and 2 MIC) had an influence on the sensory characteristics of the finished products that may hinder their future applicability to improve the shelf-life of meat products. Therefore, further studies are required to clarify such an issue.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3303/CET23107043
