Involvement of pseudomonads in deterioration or ‘ready‐to‐use’ salads

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Abstract
Summary: Microorganisms involved in the deterioration of ‘ready‐to‐use’ salads were investigated and bacteria able to cause soft rot of endive (Chicorum endiva) leaves were frequently found. These soft rot bacteria are fluorescent pectinolytic pseudomonads, specifically Pseudomonas marginalis, which is the most frequently isolated Pseudomonas sp. and present in the greatest numbers in stored ‘ready‐to‐use’ salads. A clear relationship exists between the incidence of ‘ready‐to‐use’ salads deterioration and the count of P. marginalis, after 10 days of storage at 10°C. Apart from the fluorescent pseudomonads, Erwinia herbicola is the next most commonly isolated organism.