Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of Laurus nobilis essential oil towards foodborne pathogens and its application in fresh Tuscan sausage stored at 7 °C

•In vitro evaluation of the antibacterial activity of bay leaf essential oil.•Bay leaf essential oil as a natural preservative for fresh sausage.•Product shelf-life extension.•Reduction of total coliforms contamination in sausage.•Sensory evaluation of fresh sausage added with bay leaf essential oil.

The presence of foodborne pathogens in fresh Tuscan sausage has been reported and these contaminations pose a potential risk to consumers. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of bay leaf essential oil (EO) in vitro and in fresh Tuscan sausage stored at 7 °C for 14 d. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against foodborne pathogens were determined in vitro. The lowest MIC and MBC were found for Escherichia coli (MIC = MBC = 2.5 g/L) and Yersinia enterocolitica (MIC = 1.25 g/L, MBC = 2.5 g/L). Fresh Tuscan sausages were treated with bay leaf EO at 0.05 g/100 g or 0.1 g/100 g and their shelf life was compared to a non-treated control. All groups presented low levels of rancidity (TBARS < 0.5 mg MDA/kg). The EO was able to reduce the population of total coliforms (2.8 log CFU/g) and to extend the product shelf life for two days. Although the presence of the EO affected the sensory characteristics of the sausage, it was considered acceptable by consumers at both concentrations tested. Overall, the results of this study indicate that bay leaf essential oil can be applied in fresh Tuscan sausage to improve its safety and shelf life.