Developing a new preventive approach of foodborne diseases caused by VBNC/injured bacteria using Light-Emitting Diode irradiation

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870411
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Eating habits; Applied health science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: AIHARA Mutsumi 徳島大学, 大学院社会産業理工学研究部(生物資源産業学域), 徳島大学専門研究員 (60596211)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 食中毒予防 / VBNC / UV-LED

Outline of Final Research Achievements

VBNC (Viable But Non-Culturable) state bacteria poses potential health risks especially foodborne disease because it includes ability of recovery or resuscitation in the body. Injured bacteria is referred to as a state of
VBNC or near VBNC state during food preservation or sterilization. VBNC state is induced by many factors such as temperature downshift, pH change, nutrient condition or oxygen concentration. However VBNC/injured bacteria occurrence and mechanism of resuscitation are not yet understood well. In this study, in order to develop a new preventive approach of foodborne diseases, level of gene expression was compared on our hypothesis that specific wavelength of light would be a factor of VBNC induction or resuscitation.

Free Research Field

食品衛生

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的基盤となる「光による病原微生物の応答と制御」の分子機構は光の受容体の同定を含めてを未だ解明されていない点が多いが、本研究課題で取り入れた網羅的な遺伝子発現に加えて代謝機能解析を合わせたことでVBNC・損傷菌の発生や蘇生と修復を制御する重要な知見が得られた。
現在我が国における食品衛生管理は、塩素系薬剤など薬剤を使用した方法が主流のため、光による衛生管理システムは欧州に 比べると立後れているといえる。本研究の成果は、分子メカニズムのエビデンスを基盤とした光による損傷菌・VBNC 菌に対する食中毒感染予防への応用可能性が示唆され、食品衛生管理の質の向上が期待できる。