Inactivation of phage Qß by 254nm UV light and titanium dioxide photocatalyst

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Abstract
The disinfection efficacy of UV light irradiation at wavelength of 254 nm over a titanium dioxide (TiO2) suspension was compared to that of UV alone. Bacteriophage Qß was used as a model virus for the study. Qß in sterilized pure water and TiO2 suspension was irradiated by a 0.4 mW/cm2 intensity of 254nm UV light. The UV light over TiO2 was more effective than 254nm UV alone in inactivating Qß. 3.5‐log10 Qß inactivation was achieved by UV irradiation over TiO2 suspension (103 mg/L) after 2 minutes of irradiation, while UV alone inactivated 2‐log10. Using a MPN‐PCR method, a ca. 1‐log10‐unit decrease in Qß RNA concentration was detected after 3 minutes of photocatalytic irradiation. The decrease was explained by damage to nucleic acid of phage Qß due to radical oxidation, which is generated by photocatalysis.