biostudies-literatureUnknown16Dorbani I<h4>Introduction</h4>Pulsed light (PL) is a non-thermal processing technology that inactivates microorganisms through high-intensity pulses of polychromatic light, including ultraviolet-C (UV-C). While the germicidal effect of PL has been widely studied, its impact on microbial proteomes remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the proteomic response of <i>Bacillus pumilus</i> DSM492 (ATCC 27142) spores to PL treatment, comparing it to conventional UV-C 254 nm exposure.<h4>Methods</h4><i>B. pumilus</i> spores were either suspended in water or sprayed onto a polystyrene surface and exposed to PL or UV-C at fluences achieving a 5-log and a > 7-log reduction in viability. Proteomic changes were analyzed using mass spectrometry to identify proteins with decreased abundance after treatmeFrontiers in microbiology1579161https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12017682biostudies-literatureUV-C and hydration state drive pulsed light-induced proteome damage in &lt;i&gt;Bacillus pumilus&lt;/i&gt; spores.PMC12017682Dorbani IArmengaud JCarlin FDuport CfalseUV-C and hydration state drive pulsed light-induced proteome damage in &lt;i&gt;Bacillus pumilus&lt;/i&gt; spores.<h4>Introduction</h4>Pulsed light (PL) is a non-thermal processing technology that inactivates microorganisms through high-intensity pulses of polychromatic light, including ultraviolet-C (UV-C). While the germicidal effect of PL has been widely studied, its impact on microbial proteomes remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate the proteomic response of <i>Bacillus pumilus</i> DSM492 (ATCC 27142) spores to PL treatment, comparing it to conventional UV-C 254 nm exposure.<h4>Methods</h4><i>B. pumilus</i> spores were either suspended in water or sprayed onto a polystyrene surface and exposed to PL or UV-C at fluences achieving a 5-log and a > 7-log reduction in viability. Proteomic changes were analyzed using mass spectrometry to identify proteins with decreased abundance after treatme2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252025-07-02T03:04:47.957Z2025-07-02T03:04:47.957ZS-EPMC120176824027082610.3389/fmicb.2025.1579161