A natural biopreservative: Antibacterial action and mechanisms of Chinese Litsea mollis Hemsl. extract against Escherichia coli DH5α and Salmonella spp.

Chemical preservatives have potential safety hazards, which may pose threats to human health. Safer biopreservatives are therefore urgently required. This study investigated the bacteriostatic activity and mechanism of Litsea mollis Hemsl. essential oil against Escherichia coli DH5α and Salmonella spp. Antibacterial activity of Litsea mollis Hemsl. essential oil 9 (LMEO9) against E. coli DH5α was observed (zone of inhibition was 5.0 ± 0.2 mm;...