2.7. Statistical analyses
All experiments were replicated at least three times. Data were
analysed using Statistical Analysis Systems (SAS 9.3; SAS Institute,
Cary, NC, USA). Germination rates of sprout seeds as affected by
aqueous ClO2 and dry-heat treatments were analysed by the independent
two sample t-test. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 or
S. enterica on pak choi seeds as affected by sequential treatments of
ClO2, drying, and dry heat were analysed using an independent
two-sample t-test and Fisher's least-significant difference test. In
all analyses, P 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.