Gas plasma sterilization of microorganisms and mechanisms of action (Review)

Shintani,Hideharu; Sakudo,Akikazu; Burke,Peter; McDonnell,Gerald

doi:10.3892/etm.2010.136

Gas plasma sterilization of microorganisms and mechanisms of action (Review)

Authors:
- Hideharu Shintani
- Akikazu Sakudo
- Peter Burke
- Gerald McDonnell
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Affiliations: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Tokyo 112-8551, Japan, Laboratory of Biometabolic Chemistry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215, Japan, STERIS Corporation, Mentor, OH 44060, USA, STERIS Ltd., Hampshire RG22 4AX, UK
Published online on: July 21, 2010 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2010.136
Pages: 731-738

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Abstract

The use of true gas plasmas for the inactivation of microorganisms is an area of dynamic research. Many types of gases are used as a source of plasma, and different plasma production methods have been applied. The antimicrobial mechanisms of oxygen-based gas plasmas may be due to an etching effect on microbial structures, particularly bacterial endospores resulting in shrinkage. By contrast, the definite mechanisms of actions of other gas plasma sources, such as N2, He, Ne, Ar and Xe gases, have not been clearly defined and indeed may be distinct. The speculated mechanisms of these gas plasmas involve the direct attack of metastable (excited molecular), UV and/or VUV to microbial structures, specifically the inner membrane and DNA in the core of bacterial endospores. According to this speculation, sterilized spore figures would remain unchanged. However, these mechanisms remain to be clarified. Future perspectives on the use of gas plasma for sterilization are of interest, as it is possible that appropriate sterility assurance levels can be obtained in parallel with material and functional compatibility. Traditional sterilization methods are often limited in these requirements. Therefore, gas plasma sterilization may prove to be an appropriate alternative sterilization procedure.

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