Inactivation of Microorganisms and Potato Tuber Moth Eggs and Pupae Using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma

Abstract

A dielectric barrier discharge plasma device (DBD) was built, characterized and operated. Ten species of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungus and spores of Bacillus cereus and its vegetative cells, in addition to eggs and pupae of the potato tuber moth (PTM) were exposed to DBD plasma. A strong detrimental effect on the exposed species was observed in function to the exposure time at helium: air ratio 98:2, electrode gap 1.8 cm, amplitude of discharge voltage 6 kV and an effective power density 208 mW/cm3. The outcome of this work provides valuable data on the use of DBD plasma as an alternative non-heating sterilization method to kill or inhibit microbial growth and protecting potatoes from PTM infestation.

Keywords

• dielectric barrier discharge
• atmospheric pressure plasma in helium
• non-thermal plasma
• bacteria
• bacterial spores
• fungi inactivation
• potato tuber moth