I N T E G R A L I S ®
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Extract from the scientific report of the University of Insubria, Laboratory of
Applied Microbiology-DB-SV, specifically edited for Artemide INTEGRALIS®
applied research.
Effect of 405 nm light on the
inactivation of biological agents
The use of visible light is one of the
most disrupting and promising new
antimicrobial approaches.
The scientific literature in fact in
recent years has focused on the use
of blue light as a possible approach
for the reduction of biological
contaminants. The need to control the
diffusion of biological contaminants,
such as prokaryotic microorganisms
(bacteria), eukaryotic microorganisms
(yeasts, fungi) and viruses is of
fundamental importance in many
types of application, including the
healthcare, environmental, corporate,
livestock and domestic settings.
405 nm light as a form of control for
biological agents
Light in the violet-blue range (380
to 480 nm) in particular has been
seen to be efficacious against a
broad spectrum of microorganisms,
including bacteria, yeasts and fungi.
Its potential activity against viruses
is being investigated, especially in
the light of the current SARS-CoV-2
pandemic. The characteristics of
visible light, such as its safety, ease
of use and efficacy against many
biological targets, make it a very
interesting approach in a number of
different settings. More specifically,
405 nm light is that which has shown
the greatest antimicrobial potential.
Microorganisms characterizing an
"indoor" environment
The study on the effect of 405 nm
light was conducted on a panel of both
Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria of interest to the scientific
community as potential pathogens.
This technique has therefore been
studied related to its important
implications for hospital disinfection
applications and for the treatment
of skin and odontostomatological
infections. Considering the high
potential of this technology, given
also the contingent needs, the aim
is the diffusion of an “antimicrobial
Blue Light” (aBL) application in non-
hospital “indoor” settings.
In particular, reference is made to
offices,
hospitality
spaces
and
domestic environments.
Each domestic indoor environment
is characterised by a particular
biological fingerprint resulting from
a combination of factors. First and
foremost, indoor environments are
affected by the outdoor environment
(soil and air), indoor characteristics
such as ventilation, the degree of
humidity and the materials present,
and, last but not least, the number
of individuals and any pets present.
It has been estimated that the dust
inside a home can contain up to 500-
1000 different microbial species that
help make up the complex microbial
community of an indoor environment.
This community in turn influences the
human microbiota and, consequently
the state of health and illness (Shan
et al, 2019). This makes it difficult
to identify a microbial composition
that is representative of the domestic
environment.
A
distinction
can
be
made
between
the
microorganisms
commonly associated with humans
(Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae
and
Pseudomonadaceae)
those
associated
with
the
environment
(Intrasporangiaceae,
Rhodobacteraceae)
or
both
(Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria).
Generally speaking we can assume
the following as the biological agents
can be found in an indoor space
as workplaces, schools and nursery
schools:
- Bacteria: Legionella, Staphylococci,
Enterobacteria,
Streptococci,
Enterococci, Gram-negative bacteria
- Fungi: Aspergillus app, Alternaria
alternata
- Viruses: viruses responsible for
influenza, respiratory tract diseases,
gastroenteritis,
rubella,
mumps,
chicken pox, mononucleosis, etc.
In addition to these pathogens,
Artemide is also analyzing other
bacteria, such as Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, more typical of hospital
environments and cause of numerous
nosocomial infections.
Artemide INTEGRALIS® works on
the photosensitive microbiological
species, which are not 100% of the
existing microbiological population.
For a more in-depth information
take contact with the experts for
the correct identification of the
performances and the targets of
interest.
