Ferulic acid application to control growth Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica on fresh-cut apples and melon, and its effect in quality parameters

•Ferulic acid (FA) antimicrobial activity was studied in fresh-cut apple and melon.•Immersion was a better application than spray was for antimicrobial purposes.•FA showed no bactericidal effect artificially inoculated pathogens.•After 7-day storage, L. monocytogenes reductions were 2–5 log units (2.5 g L−1 FA).•After 7-day storage S. enterica reductions were 0.5–3 log units in apple and melon.