Sterilization of spores using a direct current steady state atmospheric pressure plasma discharge apparatus

This paper investigates the efficacy of the atmospheric pressure plasma discharge apparatus in sterilization of spores. The plasma sterilizer was tested on a highly resistant spore producing bacterial strain, Geobacillis stearothermophillus. Tests were conduced with a resistive barrier atmospheric pressure barrier discharge made conducting with a 30 % hydrogen peroxide solution. The results showed a 90–100 % kill rate (CFU counts) within the range of 3–5 minute exposure intervals. The experimental findings are in good agreement with earlier tests conducted on Escherichia coli and Wild type standard Lambdaphage using the same device.