Factors affecting the inactivation of micro-organisms by intense light pulses.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of several factors on the inactivation of micro-organisms by intense light pulses (ILP).


RESULTS
Micro-organisms on agar media were flashed 50 times under different conditions and their inactivation measured. Micro-organisms differed in sensitivity to ILP but no pattern was observed among different groups. Several enumeration methods to quantify the effect of ILP were investigated and showed relevant differences, shading effect and photoreactivation accounted for them, the strike method yielded the most reliable results. Higher decontamination efficiencies were obtained for Petri dishes located close to the strobe and inside the illumination cone. Decontamination efficacy decreased significantly at contamination levels >6.85 log(10). After 13 successive treatments, no resistance to ILP could be demonstrated. Media warming up depended on the distance from the strobe and the number of flashes.


CONCLUSIONS
For an industrial implementation: the position and orientation of strobes in an unit will determine the lethality, products should be flashed as soon as possible after contamination occurs, a cooling system should be used for heat-sensitive products and flashed products should be light protected. No resistant flora is expected to develop.


CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions derived from this work will allow a better implementation of this decontamination technique at industrial level.
Gómez-López
V M
VM
Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Devlieghere
F
F
Bonduelle
V
V
Debevere
J
J
D001419:Bacteria / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods; D003470:Culture Media; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008027:Light; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000528:radiation effects; D011156:Population Density; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D003470:Culture Media