Development of Textile Electrode for Microbial Inactivation with Pulsed Electric Field

Abstract

We have been studying pulsed electric field (PEF) inactivation of various bacteria, which is based on the destruction of biological membrane due to applying pulsed electric field. In this study, we report a novel treatment system based on the textile electrode, combination of polyester fiber and 0.2 mmφ metal wire. The efficiency of PEF inactivation of Escherichia coli cells depended on the peak voltage and the conductivity of the target solutions. Higher efficiency of PEF sterilization could be achieved with 7 kV of peak voltage and lower solution conductivity. When the solution conductivity was lower, some materials, which seemed to be bacterial residue, were sedimented on high voltage electrode.