Application of antimicrobial activity of EOs in vegetables has shown more successful results against natural spoilage flora and food-borne pathogens in washing water, due to the low fat content of the products.
It can be enhanced by decreasing the pH of the food and/or temperature.
For example, oregano oil was effective against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and reduced final populations in eggplant salad .
Cinnamaldehyde and thymol were effective against six Salmonella serotypes on alfalfa seeds.
Increasing temperature reduced the effectiveness of these antimicrobials, perhaps because of volatility decreasing permeability of the antibacterial compounds in the liquid media