Inactivation of Salmonella on tainted foods: using blue light to disinfect cucumbers and processed meat products.
Foodborne illness resulting from infectious organisms occurring in vegetables and processed meat is a serious health concern in the United States. Improved and cost-effective techniques for disinfection are needed. Visible light in the blue range (405 nm) was administered to processed meat that had been inoculated withEscherichia coli. One application of light energy at doses of 10, 30, 60, and 100 J/cm2was applied, in vitro. In the case of vegetables contaminated withSalmonella(cucumbers), 464 nm light was used at 6, 12, and 18 J/cm2. In both cases, after 20 hours of incubation, colony-forming units were counted and compared to controls to determine whether the light energy inhibited growth ofE. coliorSalmonella.E. coli- 405 nm light at doses of 30, 60, and 100 J/cm2were all effective inhibitors of the organism. Kill rates of 75.61 - 96.34% were achieved. Salmonella - 464 nm light at doses of 6, 12, and 18 J/cm2produced significant inactivation of the organism. Kill rates of 80.23-100% were obtained. Blue light, delivered in the wavelength/dose combinations used in this study is an effective inhibitor of bothE. coliandSalmonellaon actual foodstuffs. Blue light should be considered as a potentially effective tool in the effort to protect humans from foodborne illnesses.
Department of Physical Therapy Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
J Stephen
JS
Guffey
Department of Clinical Laboratory Science Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
William C
WC
Payne
Department of Physical Therapy Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
Susan D
SD
Motts
Department of Nutritional Sciences Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
Pam
P
Towery
Department of Physical Therapy Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
Todd
T
Hobson
Department of Physical Therapy Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
Grafton
G
Harrell
Department of Clinical Laboratory Science Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
Logan
L
Meurer
Department of Clinical Laboratory Science Arkansas State University P.O. Box 910 State University Arkansas.
Kristoffer
K
Lancaster
Blue light; E. coli; Salmonella; food contamination; foodborne illness