Search Results
Subsequent treatment of leafy vegetables with low doses of UVB-radiation does not provoke cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or oxidative stress in a human liver cell model
2021, Wiesner-Reinhold, Melanie, Dutra Gomes, João Victor, Herz, Corinna, Tran, Hoai Thi Thu, Baldermann, Susanne, Neugart, Susanne, Filler, Thomas, Glaab, Johannes, Einfeldt, Sven, Schreiner, Monika, Lamy, Evelyn
Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in low but ecological-relevant doses acts as a regulator in the plant's secondary metabolism. This study investigates the effect of UVB radiation from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) [peak wavelength of (290 ± 2) nm] on the biosynthesis of health-promoting secondary plant metabolites (carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and glucosinolates) of green and red leafy vegetables of Lactuca sativa, Brassica campestris, and Brassica juncea followed by evaluation of potential adverse effects in a human liver cell model. UVB radiation led to a significant increase in individual secondary plant metabolites, especially of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates, e.g. alkenyl glucosinolate content. Kaempferol und quercetin glycoside concentrations were also significantly increased compared to untreated plants. The plant extracts from Lactuca sativa, Brassica campestris, and Brassica juncea were used to assess cytotoxicity (WST-1 assay and trypan blue staining), genotoxicity (Comet assay), and production of reactive oxygen species (EPR) using metabolically competent human-derived HepG2 liver cells. No adverse effects in terms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, or oxidative stress were detected in an extract concentration ranging from 3.125 to 100 μg ml−1. Notably, only at very high concentrations were marginal cytostatic effects observed in extracts from UVB-treated as well as untreated plants. In conclusion, the application of UVB radiation from LEDs changes structure-specific health-promoting secondary plant metabolites without damaging the plants. The treatment did not result in adverse effects at the human cell level. Based on these findings, UVB LEDs are a future alternative, promising light source to replace currently commonly used high-pressure sodium lamps in greenhouses.
Skin tolerant inactivation of multiresistant pathogens using far-UVC LEDs
2021, Glaab, Johannes, Lobo-Ploch, Neysha, Cho, Hyun Kyong, Filler, Thomas, Gundlach, Heiko, Guttmann, Martin, Hagedorn, Sylvia, Lohan, Silke B., Mehnke, Frank, Schleusener, Johannes, Sicher, Claudia, Sulmoni, Luca, Wernicke, Tim, Wittenbecher, Lucas, Woggon, Ulrike, Zwicker, Paula, Kramer, Axel, Meinke, Martina C., Kneissl, Michael, Weyers, Markus, Winterwerber, Ulrike, Einfeldt, Sven
Multiresistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause serious postoperative infections. A skin tolerant far-UVC (< 240 nm) irradiation system for their inactivation is presented here. It uses UVC LEDs in combination with a spectral filter and provides a peak wavelength of 233 nm, with a full width at half maximum of 12 nm, and an irradiance of 44 µW/cm2. MRSA bacteria in different concentrations on blood agar plates were inactivated with irradiation doses in the range of 15–40 mJ/cm2. Porcine skin irradiated with a dose of 40 mJ/cm2 at 233 nm showed only 3.7% CPD and 2.3% 6-4PP DNA damage. Corresponding irradiation at 254 nm caused 11–14 times higher damage. Thus, the skin damage caused by the disinfectant doses is so small that it can be expected to be compensated by the skin's natural repair mechanisms. LED-based far-UVC lamps could therefore soon be used in everyday clinical practice to eradicate multiresistant pathogens directly on humans.