evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of chamomile (matricaria chamomilla l.) essential oil on cake shelf life

background: essential oils of medicinal plants such as chamomile are very complex natural mixtures which can contain compounds at quite different concentrations and some of their components have antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in foodstuff. objective: the antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of chamomile essential oil in cake preparation were evaluated during 75 days of storage. methods: cake were produced: cakes were treated with chamomile essential oil in three levels (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%), cakes were not treated with synthetic and natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents, and a commercial cake containing synthetic antioxidant (tert butyl hydro quinine= tbhq) and antimicrobial (potassium sorbate) agents. in all samples peroxide value, thiobarbitoric value, acidity, microbial test (yeast and mould) and sensory test (color, flavor, texture, taste and overall quality) were determined at time intervals 1, 7, 15, 30, 40, 60 and 75 days. results: statistical results showed that, the sample containing chamomile at 0.15%, had good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in comparison with the control samples (without any synthetic and natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents) (p<0.01). but its activity was less than that of synthetic ones (tbhq and potassium sorbate as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent) (p<0.01). in sensory evaluation, the sample containing chamomile at 0.05% had higher score in flavor, taste and overall acceptability than the samples at 0.15 and 0.1% (p<0.05). conclusion: chamomile essential oil as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent can increase shelf-life of food products and due to absence of synthetic agents are safe with no side effect on human health.