UV-C Dose-Response and Antifungal Efficacy Against Trichoderma on Gray Sedge Fibers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.13393Keywords:
UV-C irradiation, Trichoderma sp., Grey sedge, Natural fiber materials, Antifungal control, Device designAbstract
Fungal contamination in grey sedge (Lepironia articulata) fibers, particularly by Trichoderma sp., poses a significant challenge to product quality due to rapid fungal proliferation under humid tropical conditions. Effective fungal control at the early stage of production is therefore essential. This study reports an efficient and environmentally friendly antifungal approach using UV-C irradiation (254 nm) generated by a custom-built device to inactivate Trichoderma sp. on the surfaces of contaminated grey sedge fibers, compared with non-irradiated controls. The results demonstrated that antifungal efficacy was dose-dependent, influenced by sample positioning and irradiation time. UV-C doses ranging from 575.3 ± 4.6 mJ/cm² to 2,876.4 ± 22.8 mJ/cm² effectively delayed fungal growth, with suppression positively correlated with increasing dose. However, doses ≥ 1,438 ± 11 mJ/cm² resulted in a slight reduction in tensile strength. UV-C exposure also induced statistically significant and visually discernible color modifications of sedge surfaces. Notably, doses up to approximately 7,200 mJ/cm² were insufficient to cause significant surface chemical alterations of the grey sedge fibers. These findings highlight the potential of optimized UV-C treatment as a practical non-chemical strategy for controlling fungal contamination in grey sedge fibers while maintaining acceptable material integrity.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Spatial UV-C irradiance heterogeneity significantly influences fungal inactivation efficiency, highlighting the importance of optimized sample positioning for reliable dose delivery.
- UV-C irradiation effectively suppressed Trichoderma sp. growth on grey sedge fibers.
- An optimal UV-C dose range (≈1,700–2,300 mJ/cm²) balanced antifungal efficacy and material preservation.
- UV-C treatment induced visible color changes but caused minimal effects on wettability and mechanical properties.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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