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Prospects for Treating Foods with Cold Atmospheric Gas Plasmas

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Plasma for Bio-Decontamination, Medicine and Food Security

Abstract

In this review the potential applications of cold atmospheric gas plasmas are presented with particular reference to the problems of contamination of foods by biological agents. In addition to the accidental contamination of food, the very real threat arising from the deliberate contamination of the human food chain is also considered. The evidence that has been gained for the efficacy of cold plasmas in inactivating a wide range of biological agents is briefly surveyed. This is followed by an examination of previous work in which ­various types of foodstuffs have been successfully treated using cold gas plasmas. The need to demonstrate that the quality attributes of treated foods is not adversely affected is stressed. Finally, the role which gas plasmas may have in decontaminating food processing equipment is considered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Ashby Road, LE11 3TU, Loughborough, Leics, UK

    Gilbert Shama

  2. Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Loughborough University, Ashby Road, LE11 3TU, Loughborough, Leics, UK

    Michael G. Kong

Authors
  1. Gilbert Shama
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  2. Michael G. Kong
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Correspondence to Gilbert Shama .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Faculty of Math., Phys. and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynska Dolina, Bratislava, 84248, Slovakia

    Zdenko Machala

  2. , Faculty of Math., Phys. and Informatics, Comenius University, Mlynska Dolina, Bratislava, 84248, Slovakia

    Karol Hensel

  3. SRC RF Triniti, Pushkovykh 12, Troitsk, 142190, Russia

    Yuri Akishev

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Shama, G., Kong, M.G. (2012). Prospects for Treating Foods with Cold Atmospheric Gas Plasmas. In: Machala, Z., Hensel, K., Akishev, Y. (eds) Plasma for Bio-Decontamination, Medicine and Food Security. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2852-3_33

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