USE OF ENDOPHYTIC PSEUDOMONAS SPP. TO IMPROVE FOOD SAFETY OF LETTUCE WHILE ELIMINATING THE POSTHARVEST SANITATION

The goal of this proof-of-concept study is to develop a novel biocontrol method to improve the food safety of fresh and fresh-cut produce. The specific objectives of this study are as follows:1) To verify that the selected endophyticPseudomonas isolatescan live in lettuce from preharvest to postharvest.2) To evaluate the efficacy of the endophyticisolates for in situ controlling E. coli O157:H7 in lettuce by introducing the human pathogen before, at, and after lettuce is harvested.