This method is based on the new UV-sensitive detector film VioSpor^®. The special quality of this film is that it was developed on a biological basis. The highly sensitive DNA molecules of immobilized spores produce a sensitivity profile which corresponds to that of human skin for the triggering of sunburn (in accordance with DIN 5050/CIE and IRPA; see diagram).

The UV sensitive target of the film is the spore monolayer. The film surface is devided into various areas. Only the central part of the film is exposed to the UV source under investigation. The outer part of the film surface is used by BioSense for the
 

• individual numbering of each film

• individual calibration performed in the BioSense laboratories.

The figure schematically illustrates the calibration curve of each spore film:

 

The photo-biochemical background:

UV-irradiation damages the spores. The films are developed by BioSense after exposure. They are incubated in a bacterial growth medium in order to stimulate spore germination on the film surface and the production of proteins, which are stained for densitometric quantification. A high UV dosage will lead to a film producing only a small amount of proteins because the spores are damaged to a certain extent. On the other hand, a film which was exposed to a low UV dosage will produce a high amount of proteins. The film responds to various UV doses with a linear relation within the dose range.