Evaluation of Selected Properties of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Jet.

In the technological processes requiring mild treatment, such as soft materials processing or medical applications, an important role is played by non-equilibrium plasma reactors with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), that when generated in noble gases allows for the effective treatment of biological material at a low temperature. The aim of this study is to determine the operating parameters of an atmospheric pressure, radio-frequency DBD plasma jet reactor for the precise treatment of biological materials. The tested parameters were the shape of the discharge (its length and volume), current and voltage signals, as well as the power consumed by the reactor for various composition and flow rates of the working gas.

Chemical and Antimicrobial Effects of Air Non-Thermal Plasma Processing of Fresh Apple Juice with Focus on Safety Aspects.

Freshly squeezed apple juice was subjected to air non-thermal plasma treatment to investigate the capability of this processing method to inactivate microorganisms and to evaluate its safety when applied to liquid food products. Two different configurations of a transient spark discharge in ambient air were tested: an electrospray system with the juice flowing directly through the high voltage needle electrode, and a batch system, where the discharge was generated onto the surface of the juice. The key physico-chemical parameters of the juice, such as pH, conductivity, color, transmittance, and Brix degree, did not significantly change upon treatment.

Fluorescence measurements of peroxynitrite/peroxynitrous acid in cold air plasma treated aqueous solutions.

Qualitative detection of peroxynitrite/peroxynitrous acid (ONOO-/ONOOH) as one of the key bactericidal agents produced in cold air plasma activated aqueous solutions is presented. We examined the use of the 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) fluorescent dye to detect ONOO-/ONOOH in plasma activated non-buffered water (PAW) or buffered solution (PAPB) generated by DC-driven self-pulsed transient spark discharge at atmospheric pressure in ambient air. The diagnostic selectivity of H2DCFDA to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) typical of plasma activated aqueous solutions was examined by using various scavengers of RONS.

Effects of air transient spark discharge and helium plasma jet on water, bacteria, cells, and biomolecules.

Atmospheric pressure DC-driven self-pulsing transient spark (TS) discharge operated in air and pulse-driven dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet (PJ) operated in helium in contact with water solutions were used for inducing chemical effects in water solutions, and the treatment of bacteria (Escherichia coli), mammalian cells (Vero line normal cells, HeLa line cancerous cells), deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), and protein (bovine serum albumin). Two different methods of water solution supply were used in the TS: water electrode system and water spray system. The effects of both TS systems and the PJ were compared, as well as a direct exposure of the solution to the discharge with an indirect exposure to the discharge activated gas flow.