Evaluation of riboflavin as an enhancer for X-Ray and EBeam irradiation treatment of Tulane virus

Authors: Kingsley, David; CHANG, SAM - Mississippi State University; Annous, Bassam; PILLAI, SURESH - Texas A&M University

Submitted to: Radiation Physics and Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/11/2022
Publication Date: 11/12/2022
Citation: Kingsley, D.H., Chang, S., Annous, B.A., Pillai, S.D. 2022. Evaluation of riboflavin as an enhancer for X-Ray and EBeam irradiation treatment of Tulane virus. Radiation Physics and Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110645.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110645

Interpretive Summary: While radiation technologies are highly effective against most foodborne bacteria, they are not very effective against foodborne viruses, limiting their potential application as an intervention for ready to eat foods such as berries and other produce. Research with visible and UV light has shown that light energy can be converted into reactive oxygen species that can inactivate viral and bacterial pathogens utilizing chemicals that absorb light energy and then transfer it to oxygen. One such chemical is vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin. In this publication we evaluate the hypothesis that riboflavin can be used to absorb X-ray and ebeam radiation energy and transfer it to oxygen thereby amplifying inactivation of foodborne virus. Research has determined that riboflavin does not substantially increase the effectiveness of X-ray or ebeam irradiation against foodborne viruses.

Technical Abstract: Ionizing technologies rely on high doses of irradiation to achieve 5-log reduction of foodborne viruses. We hypothesized that riboflavin (vitamin B2), a singlet oxygen enhancer could synergize the virucidal effects of electron beam (eBeam) and X-ray doses by using Tulane virus as a model virus. Concentrations of up to 1% w/v riboflavin were evaluated against 1kGy X-ray treatments. Also 0.1% riboflavin was evaluated against eBeam treatments up to 10 kGy. The results indicate that riboflavin does not enhance the sensitivity of Tulane virus to either eBeam or X-ray treatments.