of zataria multiflora boiss. essential oil, acetic acid, temperature and storage time on probability of growth initiation of clostridium botulinum type a in brain heart infusion broth

the aromatic plants are rich in essential oils characterized by a notable antimicrobial activity; for this reason, these substances can be used to delay or inhibit the growth of pathogenic or spoilage microorganisms. in this study, log probability percentage (log p%) of growth of the clostridium botulinum type a spores in brain heart infusion (bhi) broth as affected by various levels of zataria multiflora boiss essential oil (0.0 , 0.03 and 0.06%), ph (7.4 , 6.5) and temperatures (35 , ) during 30 days of storage was evaluated. the log p% of c. botulinum in bhi broth with 0 , 0.03 and 0.06% essential oil , ph 7.4 at was 1.74 (cn = 1.82), -1.26 (cn = 1851) and – 3.26 (cn=179888) and at was 1.04 (cn = 9) , -2.62 (cn = 18281) and -3.26 (cn = 179888) respectively and with 0, 0.03 and 0.06% essential oil, ph 6.5 at was 1.04 (cn = 9), -2.26 (cn = 18281) and -2.92 (cn = 82419) and at was 0.73 (cn = 18), -2.92 (cn = 82419) and -3.26 (cn = 179888) respectively. based on these results, the log p% of growth of c.botulinum was decreased by increasing the concentration of essential oil, decreasing the ph level and temperature.