Non-living surrogate indicators and methods for sanitation validation

Abstract

Systems, surrogates, indicators and methods for rapid assessment of sanitation processes are provided. Non-living and non-toxic surrogates applied to a platform or encapsulated in a biological material mounted to a platform are exposed to a sanitation process to be evaluated. Responses to sanitation are measured and quantified using FTIR and chemometrics including principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares regression (PLSR), loading plots and predictive models. An artificial leaf platform with one or more types of surrogates on one surface and an anchor such as an adhesive film on a second surface is described. Surrogate types include nucleic acid, phage, yeast and algae surrogates. Surrogates may also be attached directly or through a polymer to the platform surface. Surrogates may also be encapsulated or attached to the outside of a biological carrier such as a yeast cell that is free or coupled to the platform.

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