title: Inactivation of Campylobacter jejuni by exposure to high-intensity 405-nm visible light.
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 18 J 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 405 nm. 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.
authors.affiliation: The Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies, Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow, Scotland. lynne.murdoch@strath.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lynne Elizabeth
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maclean
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D002169:Campylobacter Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000528:radiation effects*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000528:radiation effects; D005516:Food Microbiology; D008027:Light; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis / Q000528:radiation effects