Vilnius University

Person in charge: Živile Lukšiene (Zivile.Luksiene@mtmi.vu.lt)
Main tasks in the project: Leader of WP1, (WP5, WP6, WP7, WP8, WP9)

Description of Participant and Expertise:
The main goal of the Institute laboratory is to use the photosensitization as well as other novel non thermal light technologies for inactivation of microorganisms. Deep experience has been obtained in the investigation of the mechanism of photosensitization, main targets of photodestructive action in the cell and identification of sensitive microorganisms for this treatment.
It has been proposed the novel methodology for quantitative evaluation of accumulated photosensitizer. It has been found that hypericin, extracted from Hypericum perforatum, might work as an effective photosensitizer.

Recently the Institute estimates the photosensitization-based inactivation of several food-borne pathogens. Combining knowledge and expertise in nonlinear optics, and modern technologies of semiconductor materials the Institute is able to develop further ultrafast semiconductor optoelectronics and light technologies for applied sciences including food safety.
References relevant to the field of research:

Lukšienė Ž, Astrauskas J, Kabbara I. LED-based light source for photodynamic inactivation of cells in vitro, SPIE , 2004, 5610:306-311.
Luksiene Z., New approach to inactivate harmful and pathogenic microorganisms:photosensitization. Food Technology and Biotechnology, 2005, 43(4)1-8.
Z. Luksiene a, V. Gudelis, I. Buchovec, J. Raudeliuniene Advanced high power pulsed light device to decontaminate food from pathogens: effects on Salmonella typhimurium viability in vitro. J Applied Microbiology, 2006, in press.
Luksiene Z., H.Danilcenko, Z. Taraseviciene, Z. Anusevicius, A. Maroziene, H. Nivinskas New approach to the decontamination of germinated wheat from microfungi: effects of aminolevulinic acid. Int. J. Food Microbiol., 2006, in press.
Luksiene Z., Danilcenko H., Taraseviciene Z., Baliukoniene V. Biophotonic technology for inactivation of micromycetes in germinated seeds. Chemical Technology, 2006, v. 4(42), in press.
Luksiene Z., Peciulyte D., Lugauskas A. Inactivation of microfungi by photosensitization: preliminary data. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2004,12:215-220.
Luksiene Z., New approach to inactivate harmful and pathogenic microorganisms: photosensitization. Food technology and Biotechnology, 2005(in press)

Participating people

5 senior researchers and 1 junior researcher with scientific background to carry out the research activities will be involved in the project:

Zivile Luksiene - Habil.dr., biophysicist, expert in the field of photosensitization, development of ways to increase the photosensitization efficiency, mechanisms of inactivation of microorganisms by photosensitization;
Elena Bakiene - dr., her field is biochemistry of microorganisms, photosensitization mechanisms of pathogenic microorganisms;
Irina Buchovec- microbiologist, working in the field of food decontamination technologies.
Vaicaitis Virgilijus - dr., physicist, his function is general management of development of LED based decontamination device, selection of LED sources;
Vytautas Gudelis – dr., physicist, his function is to construct and desing LED –based device for decontamination of foods.
Rimas Daugelavicius - dr., expert in the field of membrane permeability of microorganisms, developed new technologies to increase drug accumulation inside the microorganism;