The relative contribution of the two-inactivation mechanisms depends on the energy dosage (fluence) and on the target microorganism (Gómez-López et al., 2007).Wekhof et al. (2001) reported that fluence values ranging from 10 to 30 kJ/m2 at which the temperature increased were not sufficient to thermally inactivate Aspergillus niger spores, while at higher fluence values (50e60 kJ/m2) the contribution of photothermal effect is more relevant.