Inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus by pulsed UV-light sterilization

Kathiravan Krishnamurthy, Ali Demirci, Joseph Irudayaraj

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Pulsed UV light is a novel technology to inactivate pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in a short time. The efficacy of pulsed UV light (5.6 J/cm 2 per pulse) for the inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus as suspended or agar seeded cells was investigated. A 12-, 24-, or 48-ml cell suspension in buffer was treated under pulsed UV light for up to 30 s, and 0.1 ml of sample was surface plated on Baird-Parker agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 h to determine log reductions. Also, 0.1 ml of cell suspension in peptone water was surface plated on Baird-Parker agar plates, and the plates were treated under pulsed UV light for up to 30 s. The treated and untreated plates were incubated in the conditions described above. A 7- to 8-log CFU/ ml reduction was observed for suspended and agar-seeded cells treated for 5 s or longer. In the case of suspended cells, the sample depth, time, treatment, and interaction were significant (P < 0.05). In the case of agar-seeded cells, the treatment time was significant (P < 0.05). Our results clearly indicate that pulsed UV technology has potential for the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1027-1030
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Food Protection
Volume67
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Microbiology

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