Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy

The rising demand for natural and safe products has increased interest in essential oils (EOs) as alternatives to synthetic preservatives. EOs could be encapsulated in active packaging or incorporated in nano-emulsion systems and help extend food shelf life by inhibiting the growth of pathogens. <...

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Main Authors: Alina L. Nistor, Carmen R. Pop, Laura Mitrea, Giorgiana M. Cătunescu, Rodica Vârban, Florin D. Lipșa, Crina Claudia Rusu, Ancuța M. Rotar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4772
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author Alina L. Nistor
Carmen R. Pop
Laura Mitrea
Giorgiana M. Cătunescu
Rodica Vârban
Florin D. Lipșa
Crina Claudia Rusu
Ancuța M. Rotar
author_facet Alina L. Nistor
Carmen R. Pop
Laura Mitrea
Giorgiana M. Cătunescu
Rodica Vârban
Florin D. Lipșa
Crina Claudia Rusu
Ancuța M. Rotar
author_sort Alina L. Nistor
collection DOAJ
description The rising demand for natural and safe products has increased interest in essential oils (EOs) as alternatives to synthetic preservatives. EOs could be encapsulated in active packaging or incorporated in nano-emulsion systems and help extend food shelf life by inhibiting the growth of pathogens. <i>H. officinalis</i> and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (<i>Lamiaceae</i>) are widely used in food and beverages. This review aims to explores their potential food applications, focusing on their antimicrobial activities, chemical compositions, and toxicity. <i>H. officinalis</i> EO mainly consists of oxygenated monoterpenes (27.32–92.25%), with 1,8-cineole, isopinocamphone, and pinocamphone as key compounds. It also contains monoterpene hydrocarbons (3.84–67.24%), including β-pinene, β-phellandrene, and β-ocimene. <i>A. foeniculum</i> EO is rich in phenylpropanoids (22.39–84.67%), primarily estragole (3.2–94.89%) and methyl eugenol, along with oxygenated monoterpenes (0.08–54.51%), mainly menthone (31.58–34.3%). <i>H. officinalis</i> EO exhibited antimicrobial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Bacillus cereus</i>, <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and various fungi, including <i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Cladosporium</i>, <i>Candida</i>, and <i>Aspergillus</i> species. <i>A. foeniculum</i> EO seemed to be effective against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria but showed lower activity against Gram-negative bacteria. <i>H. officinalis</i> EO showed no mutagenic or genotoxic effects in the available studies, while the toxicity of <i>A. foeniculum</i> EO remains unstudied. <i>H. officinalis</i> EO exhibited potential preservative properties when added to ground meat or used as coating for cheese and shrimp. The results of this study provide critical insights into the possibilities of integrating these EOs into food preservation strategies and their potential contributions to enhancing food safety and sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-cf1b0db6793a4c9a9799c8c2a35323042025-08-20T02:24:43ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-04-01159477210.3390/app15094772Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial EfficacyAlina L. Nistor0Carmen R. Pop1Laura Mitrea2Giorgiana M. Cătunescu3Rodica Vârban4Florin D. Lipșa5Crina Claudia Rusu6Ancuța M. Rotar7Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Technical Sciences and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Food Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iași, RomaniaDepartment of Nephrology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400347 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaDepartment of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThe rising demand for natural and safe products has increased interest in essential oils (EOs) as alternatives to synthetic preservatives. EOs could be encapsulated in active packaging or incorporated in nano-emulsion systems and help extend food shelf life by inhibiting the growth of pathogens. <i>H. officinalis</i> and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (<i>Lamiaceae</i>) are widely used in food and beverages. This review aims to explores their potential food applications, focusing on their antimicrobial activities, chemical compositions, and toxicity. <i>H. officinalis</i> EO mainly consists of oxygenated monoterpenes (27.32–92.25%), with 1,8-cineole, isopinocamphone, and pinocamphone as key compounds. It also contains monoterpene hydrocarbons (3.84–67.24%), including β-pinene, β-phellandrene, and β-ocimene. <i>A. foeniculum</i> EO is rich in phenylpropanoids (22.39–84.67%), primarily estragole (3.2–94.89%) and methyl eugenol, along with oxygenated monoterpenes (0.08–54.51%), mainly menthone (31.58–34.3%). <i>H. officinalis</i> EO exhibited antimicrobial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Bacillus cereus</i>, <i>Salmonella</i> Typhimurium, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and various fungi, including <i>Penicillium</i>, <i>Cladosporium</i>, <i>Candida</i>, and <i>Aspergillus</i> species. <i>A. foeniculum</i> EO seemed to be effective against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria but showed lower activity against Gram-negative bacteria. <i>H. officinalis</i> EO showed no mutagenic or genotoxic effects in the available studies, while the toxicity of <i>A. foeniculum</i> EO remains unstudied. <i>H. officinalis</i> EO exhibited potential preservative properties when added to ground meat or used as coating for cheese and shrimp. The results of this study provide critical insights into the possibilities of integrating these EOs into food preservation strategies and their potential contributions to enhancing food safety and sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4772essential oilsantibacterialantifungaltoxicityfood preservation
spellingShingle Alina L. Nistor
Carmen R. Pop
Laura Mitrea
Giorgiana M. Cătunescu
Rodica Vârban
Florin D. Lipșa
Crina Claudia Rusu
Ancuța M. Rotar
Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy
Applied Sciences
essential oils
antibacterial
antifungal
toxicity
food preservation
title Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy
title_full Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy
title_fullStr Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy
title_full_unstemmed Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy
title_short Antimicrobial Potential of <i>Hyssopus officinalis</i> L. and <i>Agastache foeniculum</i> (Pursh) Kuntze Essential Oils for Food Applications: A Review of Their Chemical Compositions and Antimicrobial Efficacy
title_sort antimicrobial potential of i hyssopus officinalis i l and i agastache foeniculum i pursh kuntze essential oils for food applications a review of their chemical compositions and antimicrobial efficacy
topic essential oils
antibacterial
antifungal
toxicity
food preservation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/4772
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