Effect of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil on probability of growth initiation of Staphylococcus aureus in a brain heart infusion broth

The growing interest in the substitution of chemical food preservatives, both antimicrobials and antioxidants, by natural ones has fostered research on the vegetable source and screening of plant extracts and essential oils in order to identify acceptable natural alternatives. In this study, log probability percentage (Log P%) of growth of Staphylococcus aureus in Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth as affected by different concentrations of Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil (0.0, 0.03 and 0.06%) during 22 days storage at three temperatures (35, 25 and 15ºC) was investigated. The Log P% of S. aureus was affected significantly (p < 0.05) by different concentrations of the essential oil. The Log P% of S. aureus in BHI broth with 0% essential oil at 35, 25 and 15ºC were –0.89, 1.24 and 1.55 respectively. While in BHI broth with 0.03 and 0.06% essential oils were -0.45, 0.24 and -4.21 and -0.45, -0.45 and -4.45 respectively (strong inhibitory action)