Evaluation Of Ultraviolet Radiation In The Sterilization Of Plastic Packaging [avaliação Da Eficiência Da Radiação Ultravioleta Na Esterilização De Embalagens Plásticas]

Ultraviolet radiation is one of the major physical processes used to sterilize or to clean surfaces that will be in contact of foods. This research evaluated the efficiency of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to sterilize surfaces of plastic packaging materials based on the reduction of microbial counts. Plastic closures and films were irradiated by exposing them to lamps emitting UV radiation at 254 nm in an apparatus specially constructed for this study. Using an experimental design in order to investigate the effect of exposure time and distance from the source, the reduction number of Bacillus subtilis spores inoculated to the package surfaces were evaluated. The UV radiation efficiency was not high for short exposition time, presenting reduction number ranged from 0.21 to 2.47, but it was very efficient when exposed to more than 30 s at a distance of 20 cm.32515241530Abreu, L.F., Faria, J.A.F., Evaluation of a system for chemical sterilization of packages (2004) Packaging Technology and Science, 17, pp. 37-42Bayliss, C.E., Waites, W.M., The combined effect of hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet irradiation on bacterial spores (1979) Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 47, pp. 236-269Box, G.E.P., Hunter, W.G., Hunter, J.S., (1978) Statistics for experiments: an introduction to design, data analyses and model building, p. 645. , Nova York: J. Wiley & SonsCardoso, C.F., (2007) Avaliação da esterilização de filme de polietileno com peróxido de hidrogênio e radiação ultravioleta, p. 2007. , Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia de Alimentos) Universidade Estadual de Campinas, CampinasChambers, J.V., Nelson, P.E., (1993) Principles of Aseptic Processing and Packaging, p. 257. , Washington, DC: The Food Processors InstituteFaria, J.A.F., (2001) Sistema de esterilização de embalagens, , BR Instituto Nacional de Propriedades Industrial (INPI). Patente n. 1427Faria, J.A.F., Vida de prateleira de alimentos processados assepticamente (1993) Anais, pp. 7-28. , In: SEMINÁRIO LATINO AMERICANO-AVANÇOS EM TECNOLOGIA PARA O PROCESSAMENTO E ENVASAMENTO ASSÉPTICO DE ALIMENTOS, 2., 1993, Campinas, SP, Campinas: UnicampIngram, M., Roberts, T.A., Application of the D-concept to heat treatments involving curing salts (1980) Journal Food Technology, 6, pp. 21-28(1980) Microbial Ecology of Foods, 1. , INTERNATIONAL COMISSION ON MICROBIOLOGICAL SPECIFICATION FOR FOODS, New York: AcademicJoyce, D., A microbiological aspects of aseptic processing and packaging (1993) Aseptic Processing and Packaging of Particulate Foods, pp. 155-180. , In: WILHOFT, E. M. A., Glasgow: Blackie Academic & Professional, chap. 8UV Disinfection: Application Information, , http://www.philips.com/lighting, KONINKLIJIKE PHILIPS ELETRONICS, Disponível em:, Acesso em: 20 abr. 2007Reuter, H., Processes for packaging material sterilization and system requirements (1993) Aseptic Processing of Foods, , In: REUTER, H., Hamburg: TechnomicUV Technology: Chemical-Free Water Treatment and Disinfection, , SIEMENS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, Disponível em: . Acesso em: 27 abr. 2007Sizer, C., Palaniappan, S., Holbert, V., Method and apparatus for sterilizing packaging. A61L 002/00. US Patent 5843374. 9218170 WO. 10 jan. 1992 (1998) Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance Pully/CH, (527), p. 15. , 1 dezStannard, C.J., Abiss, J.S., Wood, J.M., Combined treatment with hydrogen peroxide and ultra-violet irradiation to reduce microbial contamination levels in pre-formed food packaging cartons (1983) Journal of Food Protection, 46 (12), pp. 1060-1064Stannard, C.J., Abiss, J.S., Wood, J.M., Efficiency of treatments involving ultraviolet irradiation for decontaminating packaging board of different surface compositions (1985) Journal of Food Protection, 48 (9), pp. 786-789Waites, W.M., Harding, S.E., Fowler, D.R., Jones, S.H., Shaw, D., Martin, M., The destruction of spores of Bacillus subtilis by the combined effects of hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light (1988) Letters in Applied Microbiology, 7, pp. 139-140Willhoft, E.M.A., (1993) Aseptic Processing and Packaging of Particulate Foods, pp. 23-38. , Glasgow: Blackie Academic & Professional, chap.