A UV-LED module that is highly effective at inactivating human coronaviruses and HIV-1

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) light has previously been established as useful method of disinfection, with demonstrated efficacy to inactivate a broad range of microorganisms. The advent of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes provides advantages in ease of disinfection, in that there can be delivery of germicidal UV with the same light unit that delivers standard white light to illuminate a room. Herein we demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes as a means of decontamination by inactivating two distinct virus models, human coronavirus 229E and human immunodeficiency virus. Importantly, the same dose of ultraviolet light that inactivated human viruses also elicited complete inactivation of ultraviolet-resistant bacterial spores (Bacillus pumilus), a gold standard for demonstrating ultraviolet-mediated disinfection. This work demonstrates that seconds of ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LED) exposure can inactivate viruses and bacteria, highlighting that UV-LED could be a useful and practical tool for broad sanitization of public spaces.

Antimicrobial efficacy and inactivation kinetics of a novel LED-based UV-irradiation technology

“…Although many UV inactivation kinetic studies of bacteria and viruses can be found in the literature, most have focused on micro-organisms in solution (e.g. water or culture medium), so reliable data on UV dose dependence, such as D 90 values, are rare for surface UV disinfection [ 16 , 22 ].…”

Improved light extraction efficiency of AlGaN DUV light emitting diodes using Al/MgF2-based highly reflective film

“…275 nm AlGaN DUV light-emitting diodes (DUV-LEDs) are demonstrated to be an effective and safe way to inactivate viruses and bacteria [1,2]. Compared to the toxic mercury-based 6 These authors contributed equally to this work.…”

UV C Light from a Light-Emitting Diode at 275 Nanometers Shortens Wound Healing Time in Bacterium- and Fungus-Infected Skin in Mice

“…Bacteria and fungi are unlikely to develop resistance to UVC light used as a form of physical sterilization, and UVC light has been proven to inactivate both drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant bacteria, fungi, and even viruses (human immunodeficiency virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, etc.) ( 31 – 33 ). However, the traditional most commonly used wavelength of 254 nm irradiated from low-pressure mercury lamps is hazardous to human health, being both carcinogenic and damaging to eye tissues, which limits its applications in vivo ( 34 ).…”

“…There has been limited research on the 265-nm wavelength ( 34 , 41 – 45 ) and 280-nm wavelength ( 46 – 49 ) for treatment recently. However, no literature reported the in vivo application and safety of 275-nm UVC light in antimicrobial therapy ( 32 ). Due to the strong characteristic absorption peak at 270 to 280 nm of tryptophan and tyrosine, the 270- to 280-nm wavelength is considered to inactivate microbes mainly by destroying the protein structure of the microbes and interfering with the function of the proteins ( 50 ).…”