Antimicrobial activity of fractions obtained from Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri Schauer) chloroform extract was tested by growth inhibition against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, and antioxidant capacity was tested by inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation. Fractions were obtained by differences in polarity or structure (phenolic and non-phenolic fraction). Gram-positive organisms were more susceptible to Mexican oregano extracts. Fraction 3 (by polarity) and phenolic fractions I, II, III, IV and V were the extracts with higher antimicrobial activity. The non-phenolic fraction had effect against B. cereus. Polarity fraction 5 and phenolic Fraction II had a high antioxidant capacity; a 0.08% concentration of fraction 5 had a similar effect as butylated hydroxytoluene at 0.01% concentration. Fractions of Mexican oregano with different polarity and functional groups had antioxidant and antimicrobial activity and can be used in a variety of applications.

Antifungal and sensorial properties of spices have been recognized for years. The antifungal compounds are products of the plant's secondary metabolism, and the action of those compounds could be used to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in food. Mexican oregano (Lippia berlandieri) grows wildly in the desert zone of Mexico and is usually added to regional foods. The goal of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of Mexican oregano versus food-contaminant fungi. Fungi were isolated from spoiled fruit and vegetables and identified according to morphological characteristics. The antifungal activity of oregano was evaluated by radial growth measurement on potato dextrose agar added with dried oregano (0.25 to 4.0%). The essential oil antifungal activity of oregano was also evaluated by the diffusion well test. Twenty-one fungal strains were isolated, which included Penicillium, Geotrichum, Aspergillus, and Bipolaris. In seven of the 21 strains, no inhibitory effect was observed at either concentration of oregano. An increase in growth at the lower or higher concentrations of oregano, when compared to the control, was observed in two fungal strains; in 12 strains, a strong inhibitory effect of oregano was evident. The oregano essential oil was inhibitory to all fungal strains, but there were differences in the extent of the effect. Although the antifungal effect of oregano is strongly established, there was a differential effect with the fungal strains studied. Besides pathogenic fungi and bacteria, microbial spoilage flora should be considered when the addition of spices for food preservation is proposed.

Las nuevas tendencias de la población hacia el consumo de productos naturales han llevado a investigar y desarrollar nuevas formas de conservación, para evitar las intoxicaciones relacionadas con los aditivos químicos. En este trabajo se evaluó el efecto antimicrobiano del orégano mexicano (Lippia berlandieri Schauer) y su aceite esencial, sobre Vibrio alginolyticus, V. cholerae no-01, V. mimicus, V. parahaemolyticus y V. vulnificus. Se determinaron las concentraciones mínimas inhibitorias (CMI) y bactericidas (CMB) del orégano en polvo y de aceite esencial de orégano con diferentes concentra ciones de timol y carvacrol, y con dos de estos aceites se elaboraron curvas de muerte a 5 y 35 °C para V. cholerae no-01. Se obtuvo un efecto antimicrobiano favorable sobre las cinco especies de Vibrio, las cuales no presentaron diferencias significativas entre ellas en las concentraciones inhibitorias y bactericidas de los aceites esenciales. Las concentraciones (CMI y CMB) obtenidas para el orégano fueron de 1.5 a 2.5 y de 100 a 200 mg L-1 para los diferentes aceites esenciales. En relación con las curvas de muerte, a 35 °C se obtuvieron los menores tiempos de disminución en células viables para V. cholerae no-01. Al evaluar dos de los aceites esenciales a 35 °C se lograron disminuir las poblaciones hasta siete ciclos logarítmicos en sólo 30 min, efecto logrado también a 5 °C pero en un periodo de 24 a 144 h.

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