Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Zataria multiflora essential oil and its delivery systems in food

Zataria multiflora , known as Avishane Shirazi (Shirazi thyme) or Persian thyme, is one of the most popular aromatic and medicinal plants in Iran. Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZEO) has been reported to have various biological activities. The studies showed that ZEO had significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and its application in various foods yielded promising results in maintaining the chemical and microbiological quality of foods. This review focused on the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities of ZEO. Furthermore, this review summarized the food preservation applications of ZEO (direct addition or use in packaging materials such as coating and film), and its delivery systems (encapsulation methods) in food. ZEO can be considered as one of the most promising alternatives for food preservation.