Sterilization of <i>E. coli</i> bacterium with an atmospheric pressure surface barrier discharge

Abstract

The atmospheric pressure surface barrier discharge (APSBD) in air has been used in killing Escherichia coli (E. coli). There is almost no bacterial colony in the sample after treatment by discharge plasma for 2 min. A diagnostic technique based on mass spectrum has been applied to the discharge gas and the mechanism of killing is discussed. Ozone and monatomic oxide are considered to be the major antimicrobial active species. There is almost no harmful by-product. The experiment proves that APSBD plasma is a very simple, effective and innocuous tool for sterilization.