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Inactivation of microorganisms by oxygen gas plasma

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Abstract

Spores of two microorganisms,Bacillus subtilis (ATCC9372) andClostridium sporogenes (ATCC7955), were inactivated by exposure to oxygen gas plasma. Strips were inoculated with these microorganisms and exposed to gas plasmas at two different power settings, 50 and 200 watts, and for three exposure periods, 5, 30, and 60 min.

Greater than 3.4 spore logarithmic reductions (SLR) for a 30-min exposure and greater than 3.5 SLR for a 60-min exposure were achieved in a 50-watt plasma for both microorganisms. Greater than 3.4 SLR was achieved for both microorganisms at 200 watts for all exposure periods. This study indicated oxygen gas plasma may be feasible for inactivation of microorganisms that are resistant to other sterilization methods.

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Nelson, C.L., Berger, T.J. Inactivation of microorganisms by oxygen gas plasma. Current Microbiology 18, 275–276 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01570305

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01570305

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