Exposure of Listeria monocytogenes to sublethal amounts of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil or carvacrol in a food-based medium does not induce direct or cross protection

► O. vulgare essential oil and carvacrol inhibited the viability of L. monocytogenes. ► Exposure of cells to sublethal amounts of the substances induced no protection. ► Cells grown in increasing amounts of the substances showed minor changes in tolerance.