Inner Surface Biofilm Inactivation by Atmospheric Pressure Helium Porous Plasma Jet

Peng Lu, Technological University Dublin
Dana Ziuzina, Technological University Dublin
Patrick Cullen, Technological University Dublin
Paula Bourke, Technological University Dublin

Document Type Article

Plasma Processes and Polymers

Abstract

We present a helium porous plasma jet based on gas diffuser, designed with the aim ofdecontaminating inner surfaces of contaminated structures, e.g., pipes. The porous plasma jet operates with three discharge modes in ambient air and inside a vessel. Its decontamination capacity is demonstrated by evaluating the inactivation efficacy of biofilm form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, adherent to inner surface of a glass vial.Plasma treatments for 5 min with filament mode and double region helium discharge mode reduced bacterial numbers by 2.4 and 2.5 Log10CFU/ml.Plasma treatment with double region air-like discharge mode was the most effective, reducin bacterial cells by 4.5 Log10CFU/ml, which demonstrates porous plasma jet could provide an efficient approach for inner surface decontamination.