Potential of acidified sodium benzoate as an alternative wash solution of cherry tomatoes: Changes of quality, background microbes, and inoculated pathogens during storage at 4 and 21°C post-washing

To evaluate the feasibility of acidified sodium benzoate (NaB) as alternative washing solutions of fresh produce, the survival of inoculated pathogens, the background molds and yeasts counts, and quality parameters were compared during 4 and 21 °C storage of cherry tomatoes washed with 3000 ppm NaB at pH 2.0, 200 ppm free chlorine at pH 6.5, water adjusted to pH 2.0, and distilled water. The acidified NaB solution was the most effective in...