Crocus sativus L. tepals: The natural source of antioxidant and antimicrobial factors

The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated by Well Diffusion Assay, against six bacterial species: Enterococcus faecium, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus xylosus, St. simulans, Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. The best antimicrobial capacity was presented by tepals extract containing aglycons even for the most resistant species e.g. Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica. The minimum quantity that exhibited antimicrobial activity was 1.5 mg of tepals hydrolysed extract.