A natural, edible coating could help keep deadly E. coli bacteria and other nasty bugs away from fresh produce, U.S. government scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in Journal of Food and Agricultural Chemistry.
Researchers say the new compounds reduce the risk of infection from deadly E.coli bacteria and other foodborne microorganisms.
Researchers conducted lab tests on the E. coli-inhibiting ability of apple-puree food coatings containing one of three natural antimicrobial compounds: oregano, lemongrass and cinnamon oil.
The researchers say the oregano oil coating was the most effective, killing more than 50 percent of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria within three minutes.