Sterilization of packed matter by means of low temperature atmospheric pressure plasmas

Summary form only given. The decontamination of material in closed containers by means of atmospheric pressure plasmas is investigated. The target is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium which causes listeriosis and can be found in plants and food. The non-pathogenic species, Listeria innocua, is used for these experiments. Microscopy glass slides were inoculated with Listeria innocua by spraying. The slides were placed in a plastic bag. The plastic bag was filled with a gas mixture of 97.5% Ar + 2.5% O2 and sealed. The sealed bag was placed between the electrodes of a dielectric barrier discharge. The exposure time was varied between 1 and 30 min. A reduction of Listeria innocua of more than log 2.4 (detection limit) was obtained after a treatment time of 2 min. The electrode temperature of the DBD was found to be below 30 °C.