Effects of Gaseous Ozone on Microbiological Quality of Andean Blackberries ( Benth).

Andean blackberries are highly perishable due to their susceptibility to water loss, softening, mechanical injuries, and postharvest diseases. In this study, the antimicrobial efficacy of gaseous ozone against spoilage (mesophiles, psychrotrophs, and yeasts and molds) and pathogenic (, , and ) microorganisms was evaluated during 10 days of storage at 6 ± 1 °C. Respiration rate and mass loss were also determined.