title: Rapid inactivation of Penicillium digitatum spores using high-density nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma.
abstract: A promising, environmentally safe method for inactivating fungal spores of Penicillium digitatum, a difficult-to-inactivate food spoilage microorganism, was developed using a high-density nonequilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma (NEAPP). The NEAPP employing Ar gas had a high electron density on the order of 10(15) cm(-3). The spores were successfully and rapidly inactivated using the NEAPP, with a decimal reduction time in spores (D value) of 1.7 min. The contributions of ozone and UV radiation on the inactivation of the spores were evaluated and concluded to be not dominant, which was fundamentally different from the conventional sterilizations.
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iseki
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohta
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aomatsu
authors.forename: Masafumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kano
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Higashijima
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hori
references.citation: Int J Pharm. 2001 Sep 11;226(1-2):1-21
references.pmid: 11532565
references.citation: Int J Food Microbiol. 2004 Jan 15;90(2):181-8
references.pmid: 14698099