Inactivation characteristics and modeling of mold spores by uv-c radiation based on irradiation dose

Abstract

Inactivation characteristics by UV-C radiation of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Penicillium digitatum, known as decay-inducing molds on fruits, were investigated. The survival curve of C. cladosporioides with irradiation dose was found to be biphasic in nature; the inactivation rate was initially high and slowed with increasing irradiation dose. In contrast, the survival curve of P. digitatum was approximately linear. A shoulder on the survival curves of both species was observed at low dose, indicating their resistance to low-dose UV-C. The mathematical model representing the inactivation of C. cladosporioides was the biphasic linear model, whereas the first-order kinetics model was applicable to P. digitatum.