Gas discharge plasmas are effective in inactivating <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium</Emphasis> spores |
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Authors: | Shawn?Tseng Nina?Abramzon James?O?Jackson Email author" target="_blank">Wei-Jen?LinEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Biological Sciences Department, California State Polytechnic University, 3801 W. Temple Ave., Pomona, CA 91768, USA;(2) Physics Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA 91768, USA; |
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Abstract: | Bacterial spores are the most resistant form of life and have been a major threat to public health and food safety. Nonthermal
atmospheric gas discharge plasma is a novel sterilization method that leaves no chemical residue. In our study, a helium radio-frequency
cold plasma jet was used to examine its sporicidal effect on selected strains of Bacillus and Clostridium. The species tested included Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Clostridium sporogenes, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium difficile, and Clostridium botulinum type A and type E. The plasmas were effective in inactivating selected Bacillus and Clostridia spores with D values (decimal reduction time) ranging from 2 to 8 min. Among all spores tested, C. botulinum type A and C. sporogenes were significantly more resistant to plasma inactivation than other species. Observations by phase contrast microscopy showed
that B. subtilis spores were severely damaged by plasmas and the majority of the treated spores were unable to initiate the germination process.
There was no detectable fragmentation of the DNA when the spores were treated for up to 20 min. The release of dipicolinic
acid was observed almost immediately after the plasma treatment, indicating the spore envelope damage could occur quickly
resulting in dipicolinic acid release and the reduction of spore resistance. |
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