Fungal sterilization using microwave-induced argon plasma at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the sterilization effects of microwave-induced argon plasma at atmospheric pressure on paper materials contaminated with fungi. Plasma-treated filter papers showed no evidence to an unaided eye of burning or paper discoloration due to the plasma treatment. All fungi were perfectly sterilized in less than 1 sec, regardless of strains. These results indicate that this sterilization method for paper materials is easy to use, requires significantly less time than other traditional methods and different plasma sterilization methods, and is also nontoxic.