Recent developments in blue light technology could play a pivotal role in eradicating Listeria from food processing environments.
Research featured in Applied and Environmental Microbiology reveals that blue light effectively targets the Listeria monocytogenes pathogen in both its dried cell and biofilm forms, particularly on polystyrene surfaces. It’s noteworthy that biofilms, which are typically resistant, can be disrupted by blue light, indicating its potential efficacy against L. monocytogenes.
Francisco Diez-Gonzalez from the University of Georgia, a contributor to the study, commented, “Utilising blue light as a microbial deterrent presents an opportunity to augment existing methods for sanitising food-contact surfaces.”
The research team explored various dose and wavelength combinations to determine the optimal blue light strategy against biofilms. Diez-Gonzalez highlighted that blue light has already proven its worth as a disinfectant in medical settings and poses fewer hazards compared to ultraviolet light.
The study’s inception was a query by postdoctoral researcher Fereidoun Forghani, who developed initial models for potential antimicrobial applications.
