Comparison of Generally Recognized as Safe Organic Acids for Disinfecting Fresh-cut Lettuce

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to determine the organic acids (acetic, lactic, citric, malic, propionic, succinic, and tartaric acids; 1% and 0.5%, w/w or v/v) that were most effective for fresh-cut lettuce disinfection based on analysis of quality (i.e., color, electrolyte leakage, and sensory quality) and microbial examination. The results showed that these acids did not negatively affect the color quality (i.e., L*, a*, b*, whiteness index, and sensory color). Additionally, 0.5% lactic acid led to the lowest electrolyte leakage (0.83%), which was not significantly different (p > 0.05) from that of distilled water (0.46%). Lactic acid (1%) did not affect the sensory quality and led to the highest microbial reduction (1.45 log reduction in aerobic plate counts [APCs]; 2.31 log reduction in molds and yeasts [M&Y]) and was therefore recommended as the primary choice for lettuce disinfection. Malic acid (0.5%), with a 1.07% electrolyte leakage rate, 0.73 log reduction in APCs, and 1.40 log reduction in M&Y, was better than the other six acids (0.5%) and was recommended as a pH regulator and a potential synergistic agent for oxidizing sanitizers. Acetic acid (1%) negatively affected the sensory quality and led to the highest electrolyte leakage (2.90%). Microbial analysis showed that propionic acid (0.5% and 1%) was ineffective for disinfection of lettuce (p > 0.05); thus, acetic and propionic acids were not recommended. Our results provide insights into the choice of sanitizers and formula design in food safety.\n\nIMPORTANCESince chlorine is forbidden in several countries, generally recognized as safe organic acids are used in minimal processing industries and in household sanitizers. The disinfection efficacy of organic acids has been studied when used alone or with oxidizing sanitizers. However, since different antibacterial mechanisms, contact time, fresh produce, and concentration have been reported, the acids most effective for single fresh produce disinfection, especially that of lettuce, an important salad vegetable, are not known. Moreover, in developing countries, because of imperfections in field management, cold chain transportation, and minimal processing industry development, the demand for low-cost household sanitizers is greater than that for minimally processed fresh produce. In this work, microbial load in lettuce was determined after disinfecting with seven GRAS organic acids. The changes in quality were also determined. These results provide insights into the choice of minimal processing sanitizers and a formula design for household sanitizers.