microbial spoilage was visible only after 3 days of storage when
inoculated un-treated leaves showed moderate vascular cut edge
browning (browning index score ¼ 3) differently from uninoculated
leaves or from inoculated and NEW treated lettuce
leaves that, at that time, did not show any changes compared to
fresh harvested leaves (browning index score ¼ 1).
Starting from the sampling day 6 both inoculated un-treated
(tap water) and treated (NEW) leaves scored 5; at the same day
control lettuce leaves scored 3.