Handheld multispectral fluorescence imaging system to detect and disinfect surface contamination

Authors: SUEKER, MITCHELL - University Of North Dakota; STROMSODT, KRISTEN - University Of North Dakota; GORJI, HAMED - University Of North Dakota; VESAFI, FARTASH - Collaborator; KHAN, NADEEM - University Of North Dakota; SCHMIDT, TAYLOR - University Of North Dakota; VARMA, RAMGATI - University Of North Dakota; MACKINNON, NICHOLAS - Collaborator; SOKOLOV, STANISLAV - Collaborator; AKHBARDEH, ALIREZA - Collaborator; Qin, Jianwei - Tony Qin; Chan, Diane; BAEK, INSUCK - Orise Fellow; Kim, Moon; TAVAKOLIAN, KOUHAR - University Of North Dakota

Submitted to: Sensors
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2021
Publication Date: 10/30/2021
Citation: Sueker, M., Stromsodt, K., Gorji, H.T., Vesafi, F., Khan, N., Schmidt, T., Varma, R., Mackinnon, N., Sokolov, S., Akhbardeh, A., Qin, J., Chan, D.E., Baek, I., Kim, M.S., Tavakolian, K. 2021. Handheld multispectral fluorescence imaging system to detect and disinfect surface contamination. Sensors. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21217222.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s21217222

Interpretive Summary: Cleaning and sanitation are critical components of USDA and FDA Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation and management systems for food safety. Currently contamination inspection is conducted by human inspectors via either visual examination or spot-check testing, processes that can limit productivity and be prone to error. Based on an ARS-patented technology, a commercial handheld imaging device for contamination, sanitization inspection and disinfection (CSI-D) has recently been developed for preventing infection in food preparation and service facilities. The CSI-D device provides an innovative solution encompassing visualization of contamination using UV fluorescence imaging, disinfection of contamination using UVC illumination, and documentation of cleanliness. In demonstration experiments, the device was able to achieve 100% sterilization under ten seconds for three selected pathogens: a fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus), a bacterium (Streptococcus pneumonia), and a virus (influenza A). The commercialized CSI-D device will help improve efficacies in USDA-FSIS and the food processing industry for HACCP contamination and sanitation inspection required in the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA).

Technical Abstract: Contamination inspection is an ongoing concern for food distributors, restaurant owners, caterers, and others who handle food. Food contamination must be prevented, and zero tolerance legal requirements and damage to institutional or restaurant reputation can be very costly. this paper introduces new handheld imaging system which can rapidly detect, disinfect, and document possible contaminants. The system uses two excitation wavelengths. 275 nm and 405 nm LEDs are used for the detection of organic residues including saliva and respiratory droplets. The 275 nm LEDs are also utilized to disinfect the pathogens commonly found within the contaminated residues. Efficacy testing of the neutralizing effects was conducted on Aspergillus fumigatus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Influenza A Virus. This allowed for the testing of virus, bacteria, and fungi commonly found within saliva and respiratory droplets. After exposure to UVC light from CSI-D, all three pathogens experienced 100% sterilization in under ten seconds. Up to five log reductions has also been shown within 10 seconds of UVC irradiation from the CSI-D system. SafetySpect’s technology will improve safety for food processing staff, cleaning staff, as well as customers.