Study on Effectiveness of UVC Lamps Used for Sterilization

The PYHS.ORG website recently cited a study out of Washington State University that looked at the effectiveness of UVC lamps on sterilizing organic fruits and vegetables.  It showed that ultraviolet C (UVC) light does destroys foodborne pathogens on the surface of certain fruit.  Their complete report is published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology.

Reacting to a concern from organic food growers regarding safe alternatives to chemical sanitizers, a team of WSU food safety scientists started a study using UVC light, which has shorter wavelengths than UV-A or B light.  One of the researchers, Shyam Sablani explains, "UVC radiation is present in sunlight; however, it is completely absorbed by the ozone layer and Earth's atmosphere."  He went on to say that, “It has germicidal properties and can be effective against bacteria, mold and viruses."

To determine how effective the UVC light destroyed listeria and E. coli, fruits such as apples, pears, strawberries, raspberries and cantaloupe were exposed to various doses of the light.  Results showed that the UVC light inactivated up to 99.9 percent of pathogens on smoother skinned fruit such as apples and pears but only 90 percent of pathogens on the rough-surfaced fruit.  They also discovered that listeria was more UVC resistant than E. coli.  More studies are being done to find ways to increase the effectiveness of UVC light on fruits with rough surfaces but overall the scientists felt that UVC technology is promising.    

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Source:phys.org/news/2015-07-uv-foodborne-pathogens-fruits.html