UV and ionising radiation Flashcards
what is the intensity (I) of UV radiation expressed as
irradiance or intensity flux (Wcm-2)
what is fluence (F)
a function of intensity and time and can be expressed as radiant exposure ( W s cm-2) or (J m-2)
freq (Hz) of UV
(6 x 10^16) - (7.5 x 10^16)
energy of UV (eV)
3.1-247.8
the way electromagnetic radiation is transmitted
discrete packets aka quanta
what range is UV radiation most lethal to microorganisms (peak in brackets)
240-280 nm (260-265)
optimal germicidal radiation
253.7 nm
why 253.7 nm
it is where DNA is most effectively damaged
primary lethal effect of UV
due to its absorption by the DNA of the nucleus
other biological effects of UV
induces changes in proteins (functional and structural cell content)
limited effect on cell function/integrity as cells have back up mechanisms
why does DNA have such high absorbance
pyrimidine and purine bases
what does absorption of UV promote in the DNA bases
chemical reactions
what do the products of the chemical reactions in the bases do
interfere with DNA replication and transcription
what are the products of DNA base reactions and UV called
photoproducts
what do most photoproducts contain
pyrimidine bases including dimmers or other pyrimidine adducts and hydrates
what is the resistance of a microorganism to UV determined by
ability to repair damage
name of microorganism that can synthesize protective pigments
micrococci
least to most resistant microorganisms?
gram neg< gram positive=yeasts< bacterial spores< mould spores«_space;viruses
inactivation follows ___-_____ kinetics
log linear
impact of UV is effected by
species
growth conditions
growth phase
composition of suspension medium
cell density
UV source and specific spectral output
sources of UV radiation
solar
short wave UV lights
mercury lamps designed to produce energy in the germicidal range (264 nm)
short wavelength (UVC)
200-280nm
medium wavelength (UVB)
280-320nm
long wavelength (UVA)
320-400nm
long wavelength (UVA)
320-400nm
why does UV have limtied effectiveness
incident radiation is readily absorbed by the medium components and has very low penetration
most successful application of UV disinfection of liquids
sterilise portable water
depuration of shellfish
what may be an option to sterilise opaque liquids
using turbulent flow
application of UV in air
control of mould spores in bakeries
limit spread of micro-organisms through a building (install UV tubes in vent ducts)
application of UV on surfaces
packaging materials
process benches
meat lockers
adverse effects of UV
process workers: must be protected due to reddening of the skin/cancers and eye complaints
Foods: nutritional degradation especially vit C and B (does promote vit D tho), can also accelerate development of rancidity unless controlled by a layer of N
basis of ionising radiation
very effectively inhibits DNA synthesis by impairing cell division and reproduction
-at the right dose this does not impact food
low dose level purpose
kill parasites, insects and larvae
inhibit sprouting
slow ripening
examples of low dose
trichinae in pork
garlic/potato sprouting
low dose kGy
up to 1
medium dose kGy
1-10kGy
purpose of medium dose
pasteurization to eliminate spoilage organisms and foodborne illness-causing microbes
examples of medium dose
strawberries and grapes
fresh or frozen seafood
high dose kGy
10-50kGy
purpose of high dose kGy
sterilise food for immuno-compromised people
decontaminate food additives and ingredients
examples of high dose
pathogen free hospital food
spices, enzyme preperation, gums and aromatic substances
at what kGy are spices treated at
10kGy
three types of ionising radiation used in food
high energy electrons
x -rays
gamma rays
max energies of high energy electrons
10 MeV
which types of ionising radiation use high energy electromagnetic radiation with energies up to 5 MeV
x-ray and gamma rays
how are these rays distinguished from other forms of radiation
ionising ability: they can break chemical bonds when absorbed by materials
what are the products of ionisation
electrically charged ions or neutral (free radicals)
form and source of high energy electrons
beta particles produced by radioactive decay or machine-generated
penetration of high energy electrons
2.5cm of food
why are high energy electrons less penetrating than electromagnetic radiation
mass and charge as they are particles rather than em radiation
how are x-ray generated
bombardment of heavy metal targets with high velocity electrons (cathode rays) within an evacuated tube
the penetrating power of X-rays
25cm
how are gamma rays produced
decay of radioactive isotopes
most common radioactive isotope
cobalt 60 and cesium 137
penetration of gamma rays
20cm
which radiation has the best penetration
X-rays