A Transcriptomic Analysis of <i>Salmonella enterica</i> Newport <i>In Planta</i> and after Postharvest Sanitization

The consumption of fresh produce is increasingly linked to incidence of foodborne illness. Pathogens including Salmonella enterica, Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes are exposed to produce crops through direct human or animal contact, contaminated agricultural water, bioaerosols, run-off, and improperly treated compost. S. enterica has demonstrated exceptional tolerance to the stresses encountered in the environment, on plant tissue, and from postharvest antimicrobial mitigation strategies. Understanding the transcriptomic mechanisms S. enterica employs to survive these hazards is integral for the development of more effective preventive controls and post-harvest steps to prevent the pathogen from infecting consumers.