Residue levels and performance of potassium sorbate and thiabendazole and their co-application against blue mold of apples when applied as water dip treatments at 20 or 53 °C

•Potassium sorbate activity at 53°C against blue mold was higher than at 20°C.•Potassium sorbate activity against decay was related to its degradation rate.•Potassium sorbate efficacy was related to the irregular deposition on fruit.•The performance of thiabendazole was not improved by the co-application of K-sorb.