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Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and potential of heather ( Erica spp.) extracts in the control of Listeria monocytogenes
Author(s) -
Santos Anabela,
Luís Ângelo,
Ferreira Susana,
Duarte Ana P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of food science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.831
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1365-2621
pISSN - 0950-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ijfs.14007
Subject(s) - listeria monocytogenes , antimicrobial , phytochemical , antioxidant , phenols , microbiology and biotechnology , minimum inhibitory concentration , biology , food science , traditional medicine , chemistry , bacteria , botany , biochemistry , medicine , genetics
Summary In this work, heather and its flowers were studied regarding their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Plants were subjected to ultrasound‐assisted methanolic extraction followed by fractionation. A phytochemical characterisation of extracts content in total phenols and flavonoids, and their antioxidant activity was performed. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated through the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration and by bioautography. Following, studies on the antilisterial potential were carried out by: time‐kill curves, inhibition of biofilm formation and tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes to adverse conditions. The results evidenced the antioxidant activity in both extracts, as well as, the antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria. Concerning the evaluation of the antilisterial potential, a bacteriostatic behaviour and inhibition of biofilms formation ability were observed. Listeria monocytogenes showed an increased susceptibility to adverse conditions when preincubated with extracts. Thus, heather and its flowers may be a source of new compounds with antilisterial activity potential.