| dc.description.abstract | Electron beam (eBeam) technology is an innovative resource used to rid a variety of pollutants including microbial pathogens. This technology utilizes a linear electron accelerator that is capable of generating highly energetic electrons resulting in rapid microbial inactivation. Microbial inactivation is the result of the electrons causing a chaotic ionization event that eventually causes lethal single and double-strand breaks in DNA. Due to this, the cell is incapable of replicating its DNA leading to its inactivation. This technology is widely used in the medical device sterilization industry, in food processing, and is starting to be employed for environmental remediation. Toxin-producing pathogens such as Listeria spp., Shiga-toxin producing E. coli and Clostridium perfringens are all targets in food processing. Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) are responsible for a large number of food-associated outbreaks as well as fatalities and severe morbidities. While eBeam is capable of inactivating STEC, (i.e., preventing cell multiplication), there is convincing evidence that the cells are still metabolically active. The concept of these cells being Metabolically Active yet Non-Culturable (MAyNC) has been coined for this scenario; do these cells still produce functional toxins? The underlying hypothesis is that the toxins are structurally degraded and consequently non-functional. Therefore, the primary goal of this research was to analyze the structural integrity of shiga-toxins from MAyNC STEC after exposure to eBeam technology. This was done using in vitro ELISA assay in order to quantify shiga toxin production post-irradiation. This research would allow for a deeper understanding of ionizing radiation–based microbial inactivation. | en |
