ESTUDO DA COMPOSIÇÃO E APLICAÇÃO DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE Origanum vulgare L. COMO AGENTE ANTIMICROBIANO EM SURURU (Mytella falcata).

Abstract

Essential oils (OEs) are natural plant extracts and many of them are active as antimicrobials. Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) essential oil (OEO) has a promising application field as a food preservative. Several in vitro and application studies has been carried to evaluate the activity of OEs as antimicrobials in foods, but are not found in the literature survey data application in mussels. In this study we evaluated the chemical composition and the antibacterial effect of OEO in fresh chilled mussels from Mytella falcata species. The chemical constituents of the studied OE were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and for activity we analyzed the count of Escherichia coli and aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total volatile bases and pH. The addition of OEO at 1.4% resulted in complete inhibition of E. coli inoculated, reduced growth aerobic plate count bacteria and inhibit the process of deterioration. The activity of the OEO is attributed mainly to its major component, carvacrol, which has recognized antibacterial activity. The results indicate that the OEO can be applied to support of the extension of shelf life and safety of fresh mussels.