Fresh-cut apples have become popular in recent years, being carried in major chain restaurants and supermarkets. To control browning and maintain freshness of fresh-cut apples, the fresh produce industry employs dipping solutions, mainly an ascorbic acid based formulation applied by either submerging or spraying. However, the anti-browning solutions do not have any antimicrobial property, and can be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a human pathogen causing miscarriage and other serious diseases.  As a result, there have been a number of fresh-cut apple recalls due to contamination with the pathogen.  Therefore, formulations that have both anti-browning and anti-Listeria activities are needed to address both freshness and microbial safety of cut apples. Over the last few years, several formulations that are capable to inactivate Listeria in anti-browning solutions and on cut apples while inhibiting surface browning of the fruit have been developed.  Those formulations involve combinations of natural antimicrobials and antioxidants such as organic acids, amino acids, alcohols, and ascorbate.  For example, a formulation comprised of citric acid, ascorbic acid and L-acetylcysteine in the ratio of 2/2/1 was able to reduce L. monocytogenes populations by 5 logs, and maintained the shelf life of fresh-cut apples by 21 days at 4 °C.  Future research direction will be discussed to further improve the safety and quality of cut fruits.

Formulations of anti-browning and anti-<i>Listeria</i> coating to maintain freshness and microbial safety of  fresh-cut apples

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Formulations of anti-browning and anti-Listeria coating to maintain freshness and microbial safety of fresh-cut apples