Inactivation of Microbial Food Contamination of Plastic Cups Using Nonthermal Plasma and Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract

The inactivation effect of the combination of nonthermal plasma and hydrogen peroxide aerosol for the microbial decontamination of inner surface of cylindrical container buckets is studied on one bacterial and seven filamentous micromycete species and on airborne-contaminated cups. While the decontamination by single nonthermal plasma or hydrogen peroxide is not observable after 120 s, the strong decontamination by their combination occurs after 30 s of exposure. Moreover, observed total elimination of airborne contamination of plastic cups predetermines this method as a suitable alternative to the currently used method based on the application of hydrogen peroxide.