Evaluation of Cecure as a postharvest sanitizer for controlling Listeria monocytogenes on fresh apples

Recent listeriosis outbreaks linked to fresh apples highlight the need to control Listeria monocytogenes during postharvest handling. Commercially used sanitizers have shown limited efficacy against L. monocytogenes on apple surfaces, indicating a need for alternative interventions. This study evaluated the efficacy of Cecure, a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) antimicrobial solution, in controlling Listeria monocytogenes in solutions, on inoculated apples, and preventing cross-contamination. Cecure demonstrated minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 8 and 16 ppm, respectively, against three L. monocytogenes strains. In solution, Cecure demonstrated strong anti-Listeria efficacy, resulting in reductions of 3.7-6.3 log CFU/ml in 30 s at 16-128 ppm. On inoculated apples, a 0.5-min wash with 0.0125-1.6 % Cecure resulted in 0.4-2.0 log CFU/apple reduction of L. monocytogenes. Increasing the contact time to 2-min significantly improved the anti-Listeria efficacy of 0.8-1.6 % Cecure, achieving reductions of 2.1-2.5 log CFU/apple. In addition, Cecure effectively prevented apple-to-apple cross-contamination at 0.8-1.6 % Cecure during 0.5 min wash. Additionally, Cecure reduced apple resident bacteria by 1.0-1.4 log CFU/apple and yeasts and molds by 1.3-1.8 log CFU/apple. These results suggest that Cecure may serve as a potential alternative sanitizer for reducing L. monocytogenes contamination risks during postharvest apple processing.