Antibacterial LEDs

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 14 April 2024 10:22

Description of the innovative solution

Packaging Preservation Waste Food safety

Food hygiene remains a serious public health issue. There is an urgent need for cheaper and safer disinfectant alternatives to ultraviolet (UV) light and chemicals. The innovation proposes to make use of antimicrobial Light-emitting diode (LED) lights whose LEDs utilize light energy with wavelengths ranging from 200 to 780 nm. These can be at work 24/7, delivering continuous protection and creating an inhospitable environment for microbes. LED lights are cheap, easy to use and offer a longer operational life. LEDs produce an antibacterial effect by photodynamic inactivation due to photosensitization of light absorbing compounds in the presence of oxygen and DNA damage.

Primary users

Food processors
Packaging companies
Meat-packing industry
Urban consumers

Dietary impact

This solution can have a major impact on improving dietary health in that it can kill harmful bacterias such as strep, staph, MRSDA, E.Coli, and Salmonella, to name a few. By eliminating these harmful bacterias, the risk of sickness and food borne illness is mitigated. Furthermore, this solution has been proven to produce bioactive compounds and antioxidants in food. This increases nutrient content along with limiting microbial contamination exponentially improving the quality of crops. Finally, this solution can alter and enhance ripening of different fruits in comparison to darker conditions due to the increased rates of respiration.

Planetary impact

AntiBacterial LEDs are not only an effective way to kill harmful bacterias and enhance nutritional contents of crops, it is also a highly eco-friendly energy source. Less heat is needed to produce this solution, and fewer greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are emitted. Traditional lighting such as incandescent and fluorescent bulbs cause more damage to the environment through both manufacturing and use. Furthermore, LED lighting is far more efficient than the alternatives with a much higher light production per watt outcome. Specifically, annual energy consumption for this solution is roughly 30 times lower than that of incandescent light bulbs.. Another benefit of using LED lights as a method to kill bacteria is that there are no harmful chemicals used or necessary for disinfectant purposes, nor do they contain hazardous mercury.

Equity impact

This solution has the opportunity to improve equity greatly. Specifically, LED lights are highly competitive from a price perspective. Their ability to save mass amounts of energy translates into cost effectiveness. From a safety standpoint, equity is furthered because it eliminates the use of UV rays which are very harmful to humans.

Main concerns

The main concerns with LED lights is that extended exposure of the blue rays can cause cataract and macular degeneration. This solution has high concentrations of blue lights which can be problematic and cause headaches. LEDs have shown promising antibacterial effectiveness in food products, although their antibacterial efficacy is affected by many product and process parameters, including type of product, composition, treatment temperature, and environmental conditions. For new products, optimization studies are thus required to select the right light wavelength for the application. This might lead to added costs.

Supply chain segment

Regulatory aspects

Maturity level

Moving to scale

Criteria

Food quality Food safety Reducing pollution

SDG target

SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Context

Urban

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

Sani UV-C

Business information

High-intensity UV-C fixtures designed to mitigate the spread of microbes and deactivate pathogens to ensure safe food and drinking water.

South Africa

thelamphouse.co.za/ultr...cidal

Shared by IFSS Research Team

Bacteria Blue

Project information

LEDs using light in the blue spectra that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, holding great potential in medical and food industries.

United States

retrofitled.net/commer...a-blue/

ecmag.com/section/l...technology

Shared by IFSS Research Team

Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

Study on efficacy of LEDs

Scientific paper

Scientific paper testing the efficacy of specific wavelengths of LEDs , suggesting their potential in the food industry.

sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jam.1...

Shared by IFSS Research Team

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Breadcrumb

Antibacterial LEDs

Description of the innovative solution

Supply chain segment

Maturity level

Criteria

SDG target

Context

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

Sani UV-C

Bacteria Blue

Additional resources

Study on efficacy of LEDs

Contacts