Inactivation of Campylobacter jejuni by exposure to high-intensity 405-nm visible light

Murdoch, L.E. and MacLean, Michelle and MacGregor, S.J. and Anderson, J.G. (2010) Inactivation of Campylobacter jejuni by exposure to high-intensity 405-nm visible light. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 7 (10). pp. 1211-1216. ISSN 1535-3141

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Abstract

Although considerable research has been carried out on a range of environmental factors that impact on the survival of Campylobacter jejuni, there is limited information on the effects of violet/blue light on this pathogen. This investigation was carried out to determine the effects of high-intensity 405-nm light on C. jejuni and to compare this with the effects on two other important Gram-negative enteric pathogens, Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7. High-intensity 405-nm light generated from an array of 405-nm light-emitting diodes was used to inactivate the test bacteria. The results demonstrated that while all three tested species were susceptible to 405-nm light inactivation, C. jejuni was by far the most sensitive organism, requiring a total dose of 18J cm−2 of 405-nm light to achieve a 5-log10 reduction. This study has established that C. jejuni is particularly susceptible to violet/blue light at a wavelength of 405nm. This finding, coupled with the safety-in-use advantages of this visible (non-ultraviolet wavelength) light, suggests that high-intensity 405-nm light may have applications for control of C. jejuni contamination levels in situations where this type of illumination can be effectively applied.

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