AUTHOR=Sharma Aakash , Mahmoud Housyn , Pendyala Brahmaiah , Balamurugan Sampathkumar , Patras Ankit 

TITLE=UV-C inactivation of microorganisms in droplets on food contact surfaces using UV-C light-emitting diode devices

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Food Science and Technology

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/food-science-and-technology/articles/10.3389/frfst.2023.1182765

DOI=10.3389/frfst.2023.1182765

ISSN=2674-1121

ABSTRACT=<p>The main objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ultraviolet light (UV-C) emitting diodes for the decontamination of stainless steel food contact surfaces. <italic>Listeria monocytogenes</italic> (ATCC 19115), <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> (ATCC 25922), and <italic>Salmonella enterica</italic> serovar Typhimurium (ATCC 700720) were chosen as challenge microorganisms. Target microorganisms were subjected to UV-C dosages of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mJ cm<sup>−2</sup> at an average fluence of 0.163 mW/cm<sup>2</sup> using a near-collimated beam operating at 279 nm wavelength. <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> showed lower sensitivity to UV-C light compared to <italic>Salmonella</italic> Typhimurium and followed first-order kinetics. <italic>Escherichia coli</italic> and <italic>Salmonella</italic> Typhimurium were reduced by more than 3-log<sub>10</sub> cycles at the maximum UV dosage of 12 mJ cm<sup>−2</sup>. In contrast, <italic>Listeria monocytogenes</italic> followed the Weibull model with an apparent shoulder in the initial doses. A maximum reduction of 4.4-log<sub>10</sub> was achieved at the highest exposure level. This study showed that UV-C LED devices represent an excellent alternative for the inactivation of foodborne microorganisms in droplets. Results clearly demonstrate that UV-C LED devices can serve as an additional sanitation method to routine cleaning practices, which are commonly utilized in the food industry.</p>