Novel approach to control Salmonella enterica by modern biophotonic technology: photosensitization

Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficiency of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) based photosensitization against one of food pathogens Salmonella enterica.

Salmonella enterica was incubated with ALA (7.5 mmol l(-1)) for 1-4 h and afterwards illuminated with visible light. The light source used for illumination of S. enterica emitted light lambda = 400 nm with energy density 20 mW cm(-2). The illumination time varied from 0 to 20 min and subsequently a total energy dose reached 0-24 J cm(-2). The data obtained indicate that S. enterica is able to produce endogenous photosensitizer PpIX when incubated with ALA. Remarkable inactivation of micro-organisms can be achieved (6 log) after photosensitization. It is obvious that photosensitization-based inactivation of S. enterica depends on illumination as well as incubation with ALA time.

ALA-based photosensitization can be an effective tool against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria S. enterica serovar Typhimurium.

Experimental data and mathematical evaluations support the idea that ALA-based photosensitization can be a useful tool for the development of nonthermal food preservation technology in future.