UV-C inactivation of Cronobacter sakazakii

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2012 Oct;9(10):907-14. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2012.1178. Epub 2012 Sep 18.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of different factors on the resistance of Cronobacter sakazakii NCTC 9238 to UV-C light (which includes germicidal ultraviolet light at 254 nm) and to determine whether a combined treatment with heat would produce a synergistic effect for its inactivation. Growth temperature between 10°C and 37°C did not change the UV-C resistance of C. sakazakii. On the contrary, cells in the logarithmic phase of growth were more sensitive to UV-C light than in the stationary phase. The lethality of UV-C was independent of pH (between 3.0 and 7.0) and a(w) (between 0.94 and > 0.99) of the treatment media, but it exponentially decreased with the absorption coefficient (α). When applying a UV-C treatment of 27.1 J/mL at 25°C to C. sakazakii suspended in vegetable soup and apple juice, 1 and 2 log10 cycles of inactivation were barely achieved, respectively. However, the bactericidal effect of UV-C light increased with temperature. The lethality of the combined process was the result of a synergistic effect that was maximum at 52.5°C for apple juice and 55°C for vegetable soup. In conclusion, these results indicate that UV-C efficacy may be influenced by microbial growth conditions and food characteristics, and that its combination with heat may act synergistically against C. sakazakii.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Beverages / microbiology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Cronobacter sakazakii / growth & development
  • Cronobacter sakazakii / radiation effects*
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control
  • Food Handling / methods
  • Food Microbiology*
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Linear Models
  • Malus / chemistry
  • Microbial Viability
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • Vegetables / microbiology