This study assessed the occurrence of an enhancing inhibitory effect of the combined application of
Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and lactic acid against Staphylococcus aureus by the determination of
Fractional Inhibitory Concentration (FIC) index and cell viability in meat broth and meat model. Minimum
Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the oil was 0.6 and
1.25 µL.mL-1, respectively. Lactic acid showed MIC and MBC of 2.5 and 5µL.mL-1, respectively. FIC
indices of the combined application of the oil and lactic acid were 0.5 showing a synergic interaction. The
essential oil and lactic acid showed similar (p>0.05) anti-S. aureus effect in meat broth over 96 h of
exposure. Treatment with essential oil or lactic acid presented a smaller anti-staphylococcal effect in meat in
comparison to meat broth. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found for the microbial counts in meat
treated with each antimicrobial alone or in mixture. These results could arise as an interesting approach for
the improvement of food preservation using more natural procedures, considering the current demand of
consumer and sensory quality of foods.