Developed by Biovitae, an Italian translational research company, the solution uses light at specific wavelengths within the visible spectrum (400-420nm, 430-460nm, 500-780nm) to which microbes are known to be sensitive. Because the light is within the visible spectrum, it can be incorporated into lightbulbs and continuously sanitise an entire room.
The company claims that current solutions such as ultraviolet (UV) and chemical sanitisation are only effective for a limited time. Furthermore, the human immune system – which needs continuous exposure to low, non-infectious doses of microbes - can be weakened by temporary UV-induced sterilisation that inactivates microbial colonies.
Biovitae has been working with the team at Birmingham University to investigate how effective the technology is in killing bacteria including E coli and Listeria.
Preliminary results will be presented at an event at the company’s headquarters in Geneva by lead researchers Dr Helen Onyeaka, Associate Professor of Food Microbiology and deputy director of the Birmingham Institute of Sustainability and Climate Action; and Dr Taghi Miri, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Food Processing in Chemical Engineering.
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The team will show that the technology provides a ‘significant reduction’ in populations of harmful bacteria on different surfaces including glass and stainless steel, suggesting the light has potential to offer a non-chemical, sustainable solution for improving food safety and public health.
In a statement, Dr Onyeaka said: "The rise of antimicrobial resistance poses a severe threat to global health. Our research with Biovitae visible light technology presents a promising, sustainable solution to reduce microbial contamination."
Dr Miri added, "This technology not only supports better hygiene practices but also aligns with sustainability goals by offering a non-chemical method to combat pathogens effectively."
Details of a Biovitae field study carried out at Leonardo Da Vinci airport in Rome can be found here.
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