Antilisterial activity of cinnamon essential oil, pomegranate extract, or strawberry tree extract against Listeria monocytogenes in slices of dry-cured ham and pork loin.

This article focuses on evaluating the in vivo antimicrobial effects of cinnamon essential oil, pomegranate extract, and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.) leaf extract against Listeria monocytogenes in dry-cured ham and pork loin. Among the tested natural preservatives, only the strawberry tree leaf extract significantly reduced L. monocytogenes growth in dry-cured ham slices under simulated processing and storage conditions, marking the first report of its antilisterial activity in this product. However, the strawberry tree extract did not inhibit L. monocytogenes growth in pork loin, regardless of salt concentration (2% or 4%), and neither cinnamon essential oil nor pomegranate extract showed significant antimicrobial effects in dry-cured ham. The study highlights the variability of natural antimicrobial efficacy depending on the food matrix and suggests further research on application methods and conditions to optimize their use in meat products.