Concentrations of the organic acids were increased up
to 4% to investigate if higher concentration can further
reduce E. coli (Table 2) over storage period. Reduction was
observed with increased concentration of M and L (Figs. 4
and 5) over the 12-day storage period. M (4%) alone was
able to decrease E. coli on cantaloupe cubes by 0.8 logs
immediately after spraying (day 0). By the 12th day of
storage, a 4.6 log reduction was seen. Decline of pathogen
was statistically different from the controls (P < 0.05).
Different combinations of malic and lactic acid at higher
concentration also increased reduction of the pathogen
load over the 12-day storage period. On the initial day of