Contact
Viggó Marteinsson
Research Group Leader
viggo@matis.is
UV ‐ light surface disinfection / Disinfection of surfaces with UV light
The effect of UV radiation on disinfection is well known. UV radiation is lethal to microorganisms, especially UV-C radiation with wavelengths around 260nm (short wave). Radiation at that wavelength causes damage to the structure of the genetic material and prevents DNA transcription or microbial growth. Although the effects of UV light for disinfection are well known, its use for disinfection in food processing is relatively new. This report describes the tests for the antimicrobial effect of UV lamps on the microbial content of the meat processing line. The results of the tests show that UV light causes a statistically significant decrease in the number of microorganisms on the conveyor belt of the production line. Installation of UV lamps over conveyor belts will therefore be able to reduce microbial contamination from conveyors and processing surfaces to raw materials.
The effects of UV ‐ radiation for disinfection are well known. UV radiation is lethal to microorganisms, especially UV ‐ C radiation with wavelengths around 260nm (short wave). Short wave UV irradiation causes damage to the structure of DNA and prevents DNA transcription, thereby preventing microbial growth. Although the effects of UV light for disinfection are well known, its use for disinfection in the food processing environment is relatively new. This report describes the testing of the inhibitory effects of UV lamps on microbial growth on conveyor surfaces in meat processing. Test results show that UV light causes a statistically significant reduction in microbial load on the conveyor belt. Installation of UV lamps over conveyors in meat processing can therefore be expected to reduce the transfer of microbial contamination from conveyor belts and processing surfaces onto the raw material.