title: Effect of corona discharge plasma jet on surface-borne microorganisms and sprouting of broccoli seeds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different pathogenic microorganisms have been reported to cause sprouts-associated outbreaks. In order to sterilise and enhance the germination of seeds, non-thermal plasma has been increasingly investigated in the field of agricultural science as an alternative to the traditional pre-sowing seed treatments. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) on disinfection of the natural bio-contaminants of broccoli seed and also studied the plasma effect on sprout seed germination rate and physico-chemical properties of sprouts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aerobic bacteria, moulds and yeasts, B. cereus, E. coli, Salmonella spp. were detected on the broccoli seed surface. After 0-3 min treatment using CDPJ, the detected microorganisms were reduced in the range of 1.2-2.3 log units. Inactivation patterns were better explained using pseudo-first-order kinetics. The plasma treatment of seeds up to 2 min exhibited a positive effect on germination rate, seedling growth. The physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of sprouts were unaffected due to the CDPJ treatment of their respective seeds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corona discharge plasma jet can potentially be used for microbial decontamination of broccoli seeds. In addition, the plasma treatment of broccoli sprout seeds has enabled a significant enhancement in their germination rate and seedling growth without compromising physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of their corresponding sprouts. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 461-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Je-Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 461-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Pradeep
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puligundla
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 461-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chulkyoon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mok
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D001937:Brassica / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018525:Germination; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D058626:Plasma Gases
keywords: CDPJ; biocontaminants; broccoli seeds; germination rate; inactivation; sensory properties