Premium
Atmospheric cold plasma inactivation of E scherichia coli in liquid media inside a sealed package
Author(s) -
Ziuzina D.,
Patil S.,
Cullen P.J.,
Keener K.M.,
Bourke P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12087
Subject(s) - dielectric barrier discharge , diluent , escherichia coli , chemistry , plasma , suspension (topology) , chromatography , electrode , nuclear chemistry , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , homotopy , pure mathematics , gene , physics , mathematics
Aims The main objective of this study was to determine the inactivation efficacy of dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma ( DBD ‐ ACP ) generated inside a sealed package for E scherichia coli ATCC 25922. Methods and Results A plasma discharge was generated between two circular aluminium electrodes at 40 kV. E. coli suspensions (10 7 CFU ml −1 ) in either maximum recovery diluent ( MRD ) or phosphate buffered saline ( PBS ) were treated in a 96‐well microtitre plate inside a sealed package. The effects of treatment time, post‐treatment storage time, either direct or indirect samples exposure to the plasma discharge and suspension media were studied. Regardless of the media tested, 20 s of direct and 45 s of indirect plasma treatment resulted in complete bacterial inactivation (7 log CFU ml −1 ). At the lower plasma treatment times (10–30 s) investigated, the effects of suspension media and mode of exposure on the inactivation efficacy were evident. The inactivation efficacy was also influenced by the post‐treatment storage time. Conclusions It was demonstrated that the novel DBD ‐ ACP can inactivate high concentrations of E . coli suspended in liquids within sealed packages in seconds. Significance and impact of the Study A key advantage of this in‐package nonthermal novel disinfection approach is the elimination of post‐processing contamination.