On the Effect of Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Treatment on the Properties of PET Film.

The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of non-thermal plasma treatment of an ultra-thin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film on changes in its physicochemical properties and biodegradability. Plasma treatment using a dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor was carried out in air at room temperature and atmospheric pressure twice for 5 and 15 min, respectively. It has been shown that pre-treatment of the PET surface with non-thermal atmospheric plasma leads to changes in the physicochemical properties of this polymer.

Effect of multiple nonthermal plasma treatments of filamentous fungi on cellular phenotypic changes and phytopathogenicity.

The effect of multiple sublethal doses of non-thermal plasma treatments on fungal cells phenotypical changes and the reduction in phytopathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata was examined. The intensity of these changes depended on the species of fungus and the number of exposures of the mycelia to the DBD plasma. Microscopic observations showed that the plasma damaged the surface of the hyphae, increased their thickness and decreased overall dry biomass of the organisms.

Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers with Antimicrobial Activity.

Nowadays, nanofibers with antimicrobial activity are of great importance due to the widespread antibiotic resistance of many pathogens. Electrospinning is a versatile method of producing ultrathin fibers with desired properties, and this technique can be optimized by controlling parameters such as solution/melt viscosity, feeding rate, and electric field. High viscosity and slow feeding rate cause blockage of the spinneret, while low viscosity and high feeding rate result in fiber discontinuities or droplet formation.