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Inactivation of Vegetative Microorganisms and Bacillus atrophaeus Endospores by Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS)
Author(s) -
Schnabel Uta,
Andrasch Mathias,
Weltmann KlausDieter,
Ehlbeck Jörg
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plasma processes and polymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.644
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1612-8869
pISSN - 1612-8850
DOI - 10.1002/ppap.201300072
Subject(s) - endospore , sterilization (economics) , human decontamination , antimicrobial , nitrogen , bacteria , ethylene oxide , microorganism , chemistry , reactive nitrogen species , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , spore , biology , organic chemistry , waste management , biochemistry , reactive oxygen species , genetics , polymer , copolymer , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , engineering , foreign exchange
Plasma is used as a common technology for the treatment and modification of surfaces in a variety of industrial branches. Decontamination of inorganic materials by plasma is possible with deterioration of the materials properties of a few nanometres. The inactivation efficacy of microwave plasma processed air against vegetative bacteria and bacterial endospores was investigated. The gained results provide inactivation rates up to 6 log in total treatment times (15–30 min) comparable to sterilization treatment times of thermo‐sensitive medical devices with ethylene oxide, formaldehyde or H 2 O 2 . Additions like O 2 or O 3 did not promote the antimicrobial efficacy. Moreover, this new method is characterized by advantages like no thermal influence, no toxicity for human and environment and low costs.