Handheld Multispectral Fluorescence Imaging System to Detect and Disinfect Surface Contamination.

Area of Science:

• Food safety and public health
• Microbiology
• Optical engineering

Background:

• Food contamination poses significant risks to public health and business reputation.
• Existing methods for detecting and disinfecting foodborne pathogens can be time-consuming and costly.
• Invisible organic residues and biofilms are primary concerns in food handling environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel handheld system for rapid detection, disinfection, and documentation of food contamination.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a fluorescence-based imaging system utilizing ultraviolet C (UVC) and violet light for contamination inspection and sanitization.
• To assess the pathogen-deactivating capabilities of the developed system.

Main Methods:

• Development of a handheld contamination, sanitization inspection, and disinfection (CSI-D) system.
• Utilizing dual fluorescence excitation wavelengths: ultraviolet C (UVC) at 275 nm and violet at 405 nm.
• Testing the UVC light's efficacy in deactivating Aspergillus fumigatus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and influenza A virus.

Main Results:

• The CSI-D system effectively detects organic residues, including saliva and respiratory droplets.
• UVC light from the CSI-D system achieved >99.99% deactivation of tested pathogens in under 10 seconds.
• Up to five-log reductions in pathogen load were demonstrated within 10 seconds of UVC irradiation.

Conclusions:

• The CSI-D system offers a rapid and effective solution for food contamination inspection and disinfection.
• The system's ability to detect and neutralize pathogens in under ten seconds presents a significant advancement in food safety.
• This technology has the potential to enhance food safety protocols in various food handling settings.