Description
High‑Intensity Light (HIL) is a non‑thermal preservation method that uses pulsed or continuous UV‑C and visible light to induce photochemical damage in microbial DNA, thereby reducing viable counts without significant heating.
Technical
HIL employs UV‑C light at 254 nm and visible pulsed light (400–500 nm) to generate DNA photoproducts such as cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6‑4 photoproducts, which block replication and lead to cell death. The process occurs within seconds to minutes, maintaining product quality while avoiding heat‑induced changes.
Science
Primary Reaction
DNA photodimerization (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation)
Sensory Profile
Aroma ()
ozone-likeslight burntneutralcleansterilemetallic
Origin & History
Civilization
FoodSafe Systems (USA)