Antimicrobial treatments for minimally processed cantaloupe melon

Efficacy of decontamination treatments in reducing endogenous microbial pop ulations on cantaloupe and in extending fresh-cut shelf-life were investiga ted. Composite rind plug samples were washed with water or solutions of sod ium hypochlorite, H2O2, commercial detergent formulations containing dodecy lbenzene sulfonic acid and phosphoric acid, or trisodium phosphate, and sur viving microbial populations determined. Fresh-cut cubes were prepared asep tically from whole melons given similar treatments, and their visual appear ance and bacterial population determined during storage at 4 degreesC, Popu lation reductions on washed rind plugs were < 1 log with water, 1 to 2 logs with washing and sanitizing agents applied individually, and 3 logs with s ome sequential treatments with H2O2. H2O2 applied at 50 <degrees>C was supe rior to other whole-melon treatments, yielding a fresh-cut shelf-life of > 2 weeks.