Microorganism response to atmospheric pressure helium plasma DBD treatment

The effect of an atmospheric pressure plasma dielectric barrier discharge on some microorganisms was investigated, due to the possible extent of plasma applications in controlling microbial contamination. The present investigation involved both Gram-positive and Gram-negative germs – bacteria and yeasts – treated in helium plasma (asymmetric dielectric barrier discharge) for various time durations between 25 s and 100 s. Circular growth inhibition zones were measured for two distances between the discharge electrodes, the correlations with the plasma treatment time being analyzed. Differences between the sensitivities of the four tested microorganisms to helium plasma in open atmosphere were discussed.