Application of mathematical models for bacterial inactivation curves using Hypericin-based photosensitization

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate which of the three mathematical models (Weibull, Geeraerd and Logistic) makes the best approximation for Hypericin-based photosensitization bacterial inactivation. Methods and Results: The inactivation of common food-borne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus has been analysed. Three models, Weibull, Logistic and Geeraerd, have been used for different treatment conditions (10-7mol l-1 and 10-8 mol l-1 Hypericin concentrations and 2 and 60 min incubation time). The Logistic method showed better correspondence (estimated R2 ≥ 0·98, RMSE ≤ 0·41), than the Weibull (estimated R2 ≥ 0·91, RMSE ≤ 0·90) and the Geeraerd model (R2 ≥ 0·83, RMSE ≤ 1·27). After evaluation of best fitting model for the dependence of bacterial population reduction on irradiation time, the parameters describing treatment efficiency have been calculated. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the Logistic model described in the best way the inactivation of B. cereus and L. monocytogenes by Hypericin-based photosensitization. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study identified a best model for describing bacterial inactivation by hypericin-based photosensitization, which provides a way to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment conditions for this novel decontamination technique.