Candida albicans inactivation with DBD He/O2 plasma jet

Fungal pathogen Candida albicans cells suspended in growth medium were treated with non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma. A dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet operating with a mixture of helium and oxygen was used for plasma generation. Several parameters such as the ability of creation of filamentous forms, cytoplasmic oxidative stress induction, accumulation of peroxides in mitochondria, and cellular integrity were monitored. The results indicated that the effectivity of the treatment was strongly correlated with the treatment time, type of culture medium and the geometry of the set-up.