The use of chromophore and fluorophore degradation to quantitate UV dose: FD&C dyes as chemical identicators for UV sterilization.

The accurate measurement of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, especially within a container or vessel is one of the challenges facing the broad implementation of UV sterilization. Currently, biological indicators are the best method to determine whether an applied UV dose has the necessary efficacy to achieve sterilization. To overcome some of the challenges of using a biological indicator, chemical indicators based upon the degradation of food, drug and cosmetic (FD&C) dyes were developed.