UV-C dose treatments can be used to control background microbial growth.
All UV-C doses reduced the population of pathogens on tomatoes.
Results indicate that the produce surface characteristics greatly influence the efficacy of the treatment.
Higher roughness of stem scar surfaces may have promoted greater adhesion and shielding of pathogens from UVC
radiation and hence the higher resistance of pathogens located in stem scar.
UV-C light was effective in reducing Salmonella contamination
on tomatoes. Regardless of Salmonella contamination on different locations on tomato surfaces,
UV treatment was also shown to be effective in decreasing Salmonella populations. UV-C light was also
effective in reducing Salmonella contamination on food contact surfaces. Therefore, the
application of UV-C light to treat tomatoes and food contact surfaces in commercial tomato
handling operations is feasible.
They concluded that the effectiveness of the UV treatment depends on the surface material. The
overall findings of this study indicated that UV treatment is effective in reducing Salmonella
contamination on food contact surfaces.