Mixed strain cocktail prepared as described previously was further
diluted with BP to yield a final cell concentration of approximately
10
7
CFU/mL in a gallon-size Ziploc bag (Ziploc
, Johnson & Son,
Racine,Wis.,U.S.A.).The fruit-to-bacterialsuspensionratio (weight)
was 1:3. Prewashed strawberries were then dip-inoculated with agitation on the rotary shaker at 100 rpm for 15 min to ensure uniform inoculation. The suspension was decanted and the strawberries were placed on a sterile aluminum screen under a biosafety
classhood (Fisher Hamilton Inc., Two Rivers, Wis., U.S.A.) for
30 min at room temperature (22±1
◦
C) before washing with different solutions.