Search Results (49)

Background/Objectives: Essential oils (EOs) represent a natural alternative to chemical additives due to their biological activity. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of basil and winter savory EO mixtures, their interactions, and the biological potential of chitosan-based nano-encapsulated EO mixtures. Methods: Mixtures of basil and winter savory EOs (ratios 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1, and 16:1) were analyzed for chemical composition via GC–MS. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using minimal inhibition (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentration assays, and interactions were quantified with fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH assay, with combination indices used to interpret interaction effects. Chitosan-based nanoparticles were made with the selected oil mixture (2:1), after which characterization and biological activity were performed. Results: The EO mixture with 2:1 ratio exhibited the strongest joint activity, with synergistic or additive effect against four out of six analyzed microorganisms. Antioxidant activity improved with higher basil proportions, with the 16:1 ratio achieving the lowest EC50 value of 0.052 mg/mL after 120 min and demonstrating synergistic effects at all tested ratios. Higher basil EO content also masked the strong odor of winter savory EO. The biological activity of chitosan-based nanoparticles was increased by encapsulation of the EO mixture (2:1), with an encapsulation efficiency of 75.39%. Conclusions: The EO mixture (2:1) showed best antimicrobial efficacy, with synergistic or additive effects. The nano-encapsulated mixture showed good biological potential with effective and complete odor neutralization. These results indicate the potential of basil and winter savory essential oil mixtures for sustainable food preservation applications. Full article

In an era dominated by the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance, it is increasingly important to look for alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. In light of these considerations, the synergistic use of essential oils and Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) seems a viable strategy. In this study, we assessed the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) of three Essential Oils (EOs): winter savory (Satureja montana), bergamot (Citrus bergamia) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and of the insect antimicrobial peptide Cecropin A (CecA), alone and in combination with EOs, against two Gram-negative ATCC bacterial strains: Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. The MIC results showed that winter savory EO (SmEO) and cinnamon EO (CzEO) exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains, whereas bergamot EO (CbEO) and CecA demonstrated comparatively lower antibacterial efficacy. These results were also confirmed by the MBC values. The FIC Indices (FICI) revealed that the most effective synergies were observed with the combinations SmEO/CzEO and SmEO/CbEO against E. coli, while against S. enterica Typhimurium the best combinations were CbEO/CzEO and SmEO/CzEO. Regarding CecA, although it was not the most efficient agent either individually or in combination, it is noteworthy that, when combined, it exhibited antibacterial activity even at a 1:64 dilution. Full article

Satureja montana essential oil is a natural substance able to inhibit the growth of several pathogens. This antimicrobial effect is often attributed to its ability to penetrate cellular structures and disrupt them. Although these properties are recognized as playing a key role in the mechanism of action of this substance, many unresolved issues still exist, and fundamental studies focused on such aspects are scarce. In this framework, we investigated the interaction of SEO with lipid monolayers, which represent simplified models of cell membranes, using the Langmuir monolayer technique, complemented by fluorescence anisotropy and differential scanning calorimetry on lipid bilayers. By focusing on packing conditions that approximate those of biological membranes and using lipids with different polar heads and structures, such as the ones occurring in bacterial membranes, we aim to clarify the effect of this essential oil on the lipid membrane. Our results show that Satureja montana essential oil consistently manages to insert into the membrane and interfere with the lipid–lipid interactions, thereby altering the lipid packing and significantly increasing the membrane fluidity, depending on the oil concentration and the nature of the lipid. Full article

Enteropathogenic (EPEC), necrotoxigenic (NTEC), and Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are pathotypes responsible for severe clinical forms in humans and animals. They can be shed in the feces of animals with consequent environmental contamination. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of essential oils (EOs) from oregano (Origanum vulgare), savory (Satureja montana), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), and their blend against EPEC, NTEC, and STEC strains previously isolated from avian fecal samples. Minimum inhibitory concentration values between 0.039% and 0.156% were found with O. vulgare EO, between ≤0.0195% and 0.156% with both S. montana and T. vulgaris EOs, and between 0.039% and ≤0.0195% with the blend. The mixture with equal parts of EOs from oregano, savory and thyme seems a promising alternative product to combat pathogenic E. coli strains responsible for environmental contamination. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) are complex mixtures of mainly volatile terpenes and phenylpropanoids with strong biological activities. Screening their nematicidal activity against plant parasitic nematodes can yield important information on anti-nematodal chemical structures. In previous studies, the EO of winter savory, Satureja montana, revealed a high nematicidal activity against the pinewood nematode (PWN), a dangerous phytoparasite that attacks pine trees and causes pine wilt disease (PWD). Its activity was solely attributed to the oxygen-containing molecules; however, interactions between EO compounds were not fully ascertained. In the present study, the main compounds of winter savory EO were tested solely and in combination to understand which were responsible for the nematicidal strength of the EO. The main EO compound, carvacrol, induced the strongest activities; however, γ-terpinene and p-cymene appear to influence its activity, even though they promote a low PWN mortality. Uncovering the interactions between the components of nematicidal EOs can provide clues to better formulate sustainable alternatives to traditional pesticides. Full article

The increasing presence of Anisakis spp. in fish is having significant implications for public health due to a rise in cases of anisakiasis. Given this situation, there is a critical need to develop new strategies to fight this parasite. Satureja montana L., commonly known as savory, is a plant recognized in folk medicine for its therapeutic activity, such as being antispasmodic and digestive, among other properties. The aim of this study was to assess the nematicide activity against A. simplex larvae of the essential oil from two varieties of S. montana (subsp. montana (SMM) and variegata (SMV)). The essential oils were obtained via hydro-distillation of the flowering aerial parts. In vitro assays demonstrated the complete inactivation of anisakis larvae after 24 h when exposed to both essential oils, along with a significant reduction in their penetration capacity. Moreover, both essential oils showed an inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE). No differences between the subspecies were observed in any of the assays. Hence, the nematicidal activity of essential oils could be attributed to their capacity to inhibit AChE. These findings suggest the potential of S. montana essential oil for therapeutic and food industry applications. Full article

Emulsion products with natural antimicrobials are becoming increasingly popular for topical application. Mandelic Acid is interesting in cosmetics due to its potent exfoliating properties, which have driven advancements in skincare technologies. Essential oils have various properties, of which the most useful in cosmetics are those that do not cause irritation, smell pleasant, and have other beneficial properties such as antimicrobial effects. Emulsions with Mandelic Acid and essential oils from Satureja montana, Lemongrass, and Litsea cubeba were formulated and microbiologically tested for their preservative effectiveness. The effect of the treatments on skin condition was monitored by non-invasive diagnostic methods, such as hydration, transepidermal water loss, and pH value. Sensory analysis revealed that the matrix containing Mandelic Acid alone or combined with Litsea Cubeba Oil was the best-performing formulation, consistent with the compliant results of antimicrobial efficacy. The topical form of this cosmetic product has demonstrated excellent preservative activity and desirable biophysical efficacy on the skin. Full article

Burn injuries represent a significant problem in clinical practice due to the high risk of infection and the prolonged healing process. Recently, more attention has been given to natural remedies such as water extracts of various medicinal plants, which possess anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Satureja montana L. and other water extracts in a burn wound model. The study involved male Californian rabbits (n = 52) divided into eight groups. Burn wounds were modeled on the animals and subsequently treated with gels based on Satureja montana L. and other water extracts. The reparative potential of the epidermis (assessed by Ki-67 expression), the state of local immunity (measured by the number of CD-45 cells), and the anti-inflammatory role of mast cells (measured by tryptase levels) were evaluated. Bacteriological and morphological studies were conducted. The most pronounced bactericidal, reparative, and immunostimulatory effects were observed after the treatment using a gel mixture of water extracts from Satureja montana L., Salvia sclarea, Coriandrum sativum L., and Lavandula angustifolia in equal proportions (1:1:1:1). The other gels also demonstrated high efficacy in treating burn wounds, especially when using a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to several antibiotics. Immunohistochemical studies showed a significant increase in the number of Ki-67-positive cells in the basal layer of the epidermis and a decrease in the number of CD-45-positive cells, indicating improved proliferative activity and reduced inflammation. This study confirms the hypothesis that the use of water extract mixtures significantly enhances the reparative potential, improves the immune response in the treatment of burns, and promotes wound healing. These findings pave the way for further research and the application of complex phytotherapeutic agents, specifically water extracts of medicinal plants containing phenols and antioxidants in burn wound therapy. Full article

The rising demand for safe plant compounds and herbal products that contribute positively to human health is in line with current market trends. Plants belonging to the Satureja genus, particularly the aromatic medicinal S. montana L. from the Lamiaceae family, are well suited to these trends as they serve as pharmaceutical raw materials. This research aimed to assess the influence of sowing date and fertilization doses, as well as their interaction, on the fresh weight, essential oil content, and composition of S. montana. Experimental cultivation involved varying nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The second cut had the highest fresh weight and oil production compared to the first cut. The highest total plant biomass was achieved with autumn sowing and fertilization at 55 kg N/ha and 37 kg P/ha, whereas Spring sowing exhibited higher essential oil production, with the maximum oil % with 74 kg P/ha and oil yield after applying 55 kg N/ha and 74 kg P/ha. The GC-MS analysis revealed that carvacrol was the predominant compound, with it being recommended to grow S. montana in Spring at doses of 55 kg N/ha and 74 kg P/ha for the superior oil yield. Additionally, S. montana essential oil demonstrated notable biological and antimicrobial activity, positioning it as a potential alternative to chemical food preservatives. Full article

Yersiniosis, one of the leading foodborne infections in the European Union, is caused by Yersinia enterocolitica. In this study, the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and winter savory (Satureja montana L.) essential oils were investigated against Y. enterocolitica strains belonging to the bioserotype 4/O:3. Cinnamon essential oil showed the highest antibacterial activity, with an MIC value 0.09 µL/mL, followed by oregano and thyme essential oils, with MIC values from 0.09 to 0.18 µL/mL, and from 0.18 to 0.23 µL/mL, respectively. Thyme essential oil at 0.23 µL/g (MIC) and at 0.46 µL/g (2MIC) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of Y. enterocolitica by 0.38 log CFU/g and 0.64 log CFU/g, respectively, in minced pork meat during storage at 4 °C for 4 days. The Y. enterocolitica strains formed biofilms at 15 °C and 37 °C in tryptic soy broth and Luria–Bertani broth, while no biofilms were obtained at 5 °C, and in meat broth nutrient media. Applying the minimum bactericidal concentrations of cinnamon, clove, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and winter savory essential oils on preformed biofilms led to significant reductions being observed in the range from 45.34% to 78.89%. A scanning electron microscopy assay showed the devastating impact of oregano and thyme essential oils on the morphology of Y. enterocolitica bacterial cells. In conclusion, the results of this study show that essential oils possess high anti-Yersinia and antibiofilm effects. Full article

Tanacetum vulgare and Satureja montana essential oils (EOs) on Aronia melanocarpa before the flowering period were used against Acrobasis advenella. We hypothesised that the use of the aforementioned EOs (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%) would simultaneously improve yield and fruit quality. The profile of the EO constituents was determined by GC-MS analysis. Thujone (66.62%) was identified as the most abundant component in tansy EO, while thymol (40.04%) was dominant in savory EO. The mean weight of 100 berries ranged from 82.40 g to 88.00 g. A loss in fruit weight was recorded after the addition of 4.5% S. montana EO. A. melanocarpa shrubs treated with 4.5% tansy EO showed the highest content of phenols (848.03 mg per 100 g FW), along with high levels of anthocyanins (310.19 mg/100 g), tannins (1884 mg/100 g) and chlorogenic acid (187.38 mg/100 g) but exerted negative effects on the mineral fruit content (Mg, K). T. vulgare oil, particularly at higher concentrations, has shown promise for increasing the content of valuable compounds with strong antioxidant properties. The application of S. montana EOs positively affected minerals and chlorogenic acid content. However, their phytotoxic effects on A. melanocarpa preclude them from further use, even at low concentrations. Full article

Sour rot, caused by Geotrichum citri-aurantii, can produce significant postharvest losses of citrus fruits and, currently, cannot be effectively controlled by the postharvest fungicides registered in EU countries. Therefore, novel antifungal edible coatings (ECs) based on citrus pectin and beeswax and enriched with eugenol (EG), geraniol (GR), propolis extract (PR) or essential oils (EOs) from Satureja montana (SA), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CI), or Commiphora myrrha (CM), were developed as alternatives to reduce sour rot and preserve the postharvest quality of ‘Valencia’ oranges. These natural agents were incorporated into the EC formulation and then applied to inoculated oranges. ECs enriched with EG (2–8 g/kg), GR (4 and 8 g/kg), PR (5–20 g/kg), and CM EO (15 g/kg) reduced disease incidence and severity by 75 to 100% compared to uncoated oranges after 20 days of incubation at 20 °C. ECs containing EG (8 g/kg), GR (4 g/kg), and PR (20 g/kg) reduced weight loss and retained firmness of oranges after 14 days of shelf life at 20 °C. Furthermore, all tested ECs maintained the fruit’s sensory and physicochemical quality. Overall, the EG-enriched pectin EC performed best, showing potential as a safe, bio-based alternative to conventional waxes containing synthetic fungicides for the management of citrus postharvest sour rot. Full article

Essential oils (EOs) have strong antibacterial properties and can be potential sanitizers to reduce pathogen load and prevent cross-contamination during postharvest washing. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of emulsions containing oregano (OR; Origanum vulgare) and winter savory (WS; Satureja montana) EOs at different concentrations (0.94 and 1.88 µL/mL) and storage times (0 h, 24 h, and 7 days), in reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on the surface of three types of lettuce (romaine, crisphead, and butterhead). The EO emulsions were compared with one no-rinse treatment and three rinse treatments using water, 200 ppm chlorine, and 80 ppm peroxyacetic acid (PAA), respectively, in a simulated washing system. The results showed that while the EO emulsions significantly reduced E. coli O157:H7 on crisphead lettuce over time, not all treatments were effective for romaine and butterhead lettuce. The mixture of OR and WS at concentrations of 0.94 and 1.88 µL/mL was found to be the most effective in reducing E. coli O157:H7 on inoculated lettuce, resulting in reductions of 3.52 and 3.41 log CFU/g, respectively. Furthermore, the PAA and the mixture of OR and WS at 1.88 µL/mL effectively limited bacterial cross-contamination close to the detection limit for all lettuce types during all storage times. These results suggest that OR and WS EOs could serve as potential alternatives to chemical sanitizers for postharvest lettuce washing. Full article

Control of the pinewood nematode (PWN), the causal agent of pine wilt disease, can be achieved through the trunk injection of nematicides; however, many pesticides have been linked to environmental and human health concerns. Essential oils (EOs) are suitable alternatives due to their biodegradability and low toxicity to mammals. These complex mixtures of plant volatiles often display multiple biological activities and synergistic interactions between their compounds. The present work profiled the toxicity of eight EOs against the PWN in comparison to their 1:1 mixtures, to screen for successful synergistic interactions. Additionally, the main compounds of the most synergistic mixtures were characterized for their predicted environmental fate and toxicity to mammals in comparison to emamectin benzoate, a commercial nematicide used against PWN. The mixtures of Cymbopogon citratus with Mentha piperita and of Foeniculum vulgare with Satureja montana EOs showed the highest activities, with half-maximal effective concentrations (EC₅₀) of 0.09 and 0.05 µL/mL, respectively. For these, complete PWN mortality was reached after only ca. 15 min or 2 h of direct contact, respectively. Their major compounds had a higher predicted affinity to air and water environmental compartments and are reported to have very low toxicity to mammals, with low acute oral and dermal toxicities. In comparison, emamectin benzoate showed lower nematicidal activity, a higher affinity to the soil and sediments environmental compartments and higher reported oral and dermal toxicity to mammals. Overall, uncovering synergistic activities in combinations of EOs from plants of different families may prove to be a source of biopesticides with optimized toxicity against PWNs. Full article

The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemical profile and antioxidant activity of essential oils obtained from the most commonly grown plant species in Serbia. Aromatic and medicinal plants from Lamiaceae (Mentha x Piperita, Ocimum basilicum, Origanum majorana, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Satureja hortensis, Satureja montana and Thymus vulgaris), Asteraceae (Ehinacea purpurea and Matricaria chamomilla), Apiaceae (Anethum graveolens, Carum carvi, Foeniculum vulgare, Petroselinum crispum and Pimpinella anisum) and Cupressaceae (Juniperus comunis) were selected as raw material for essential oils (EOs)’ isolation. Hydrodistillation (HD) was used for the isolation of EOs while they were evaluated in terms of yield and terpenoid profiles by GC-MS. In vitro radical scavenging DPPH and ABTS⁺ radical activities were carried out for all EOs. Finally, a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed with the experimental results of the composition and antioxidant activity of the EOs, which showed a clear distinction between the selected plant species for the aforementioned responses. This work represents a screening tool for the selection of other EO candidates for further processing by emerging extraction techniques and the use of EOs as natural additives for meat products. Full article