Possas, AriciaPosada-Izquierdo, Guiomar DenisseTarlak, FatihJimenez-Jimenez, FranciscoPerez-Rodriguez, Fernando2024-06-132024-06-1320230023-64381096-112710.1016/j.lwt.2023.1150692-s2.0-85165229182https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2023.115069https://hdl.handle.net/11501/1186The aim of this study was to evaluate, quantify and model the inactivation of Salmonella in fresh-cut lettuce during washings with chlorinated water at different free chlorine concentrations (FCC, 0-150 mg/L). Individual fresh-cut lettuce samples (4 cm2) were inoculated with a Salmonella culture (ca. 4 log CFU/cm2) and washed with 100-mL solutions with different FCC for different times (0-150 s). The surviving Salmonella cells recovered from samples were enumerated by plate count methodology. A fast decay on Salmonella counts was marked in the first 20 s of washing, followed by a slowing down on reductions. A maximum of 2.6 log-decrease was observed after 2.5-min washing regardless of FCC. The log-linear with tail primary model coupled with a linear secondary model was fitted to inactivation data obtained at FCC from 50 to 150 mg/L through global regression analysis, yielding a suitable model to describe Salmonella concentrations as a function of FCC and washing times (RMSE = 0.34, R2adj= 0.84). Simulations using the developed model showed inactivation rates varying from 0.17 log CFU/ s at 50 mg/L to 0.86 log CFU/s at 150 mg/L. Disinfection models on lettuce are valuable tools for the validation of control measures in the fresh-cut produce industry and for quantitative risk assessments.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCross-ContaminationInactivation KineticsFresh-ProduceFoodborne PathogensPredictive MicrobiologyEscherichia-Coli O157h7Cross-ContaminationListeria-MonocytogenesIceberg LettuceOrganic LoadPulsed-LightWaterProduceModelMetaanalysisArticleQ1184WOS:001090882400001N/A