How Pulsed UV Light Decontaiminates

Pulsed UV light-based irradiation technology is the most attractive solution used to eradicate, and kill resistant microbes.

Overcoming biological resistance

The rising problem of biologicals becoming resistant to sanitizers and decontamination processes has led to an effort to find alternative approaches which kill resistant micro-organisms without harming the host cells. Pulsed UV light-based irradiation technology is the most attractive solution used to eradicate, and kill resistant microbes.

Among these wavelength ranges, UVC has the best potential ability to inactivate microorganisms because the wavelength of 250–270nm, is strongly and mainly absorbed by the nucleic acids of microbial cells and, therefore is the most lethal range of wavelengths.

The bactericidal mechanism of UVC is to cause damage to their RNA and DNA, which often leads to the formation of dimers between pyrimidine residues in the nucleic acid strands. The consequence of this modification is that the production of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) causes deformation of the DNA molecule, which might cause defects in cell replication and lead to cell death afterwards.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Pulsed Light Technology

Pulsed light is a method of food preservation that involves the use of intense and short-duration pulses of broad spectrum “white light”. The spectrum of light for pulsed light treatment includes wavelengths in the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared region. Any material to be treated is exposed to a least 1 pulse of light having an energy density in the range of about 0.01 to 50 J/cm² at the surface. A wavelength distribution such that at least 70% of the electromagnetic energy is within the range of 170 to 2600 nm is used. The material to be sterilized is exposed to at least l pulse of light (typically 1 to 20 flashes per second) with a duration range from 1 µ,s to 0.1 s. For most applications, a few flashes applied in a fraction of a second provide a high level of microbial inactivation.

Pulsed Light Technology

How Pulsed UV Light is Used in Sterilization

Several pulses can be delivered per sec, creating sterilized material at a greater speed than conventional processes. The efficacy of the process has been tested against a broad range of microorganisms, including mold spores, bacteria (vegetative cells and spores), fungi, viruses, and protozoa.

The lamp unit consists of 1 or more inert gas lamps arranged to illuminate the desired treatment area. A high voltage cable connects the lamps to the power unit. To flash the lamp, a highvoltage, high-current pulse of electricity is applied. The high current passing through the gas in the lamp causes it to emit an intense pulse of light that lasts a few hundred microseconds.

The frequency of flashing is adjustable, allowing optimization of the process in conjunction with any particular processing speed. Systems are normally designed for each application to provide flexibility in the number of lamps, the flashing configuration, and the flash rate. Lamps can be flashed simultaneously or sequentially.

Conveyor UV Decontamination Illustration

How Pulsed UV Light is Used in Sterilization

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