Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2003
DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/5/1/341
Publication Title
New Journal of Physics
Volume
5
Pages
41.1-41.10
Abstract
The germicidal effects of a non-equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma generated by a novel resistive barrier discharge on representatives of the two classes of bacteria (Gram-negative and Gram-positive) are discussed. The plasma exposure, while being lethal to both bacterial classes, also produced gross structural damage in the Gram-negative E. coli while none was observed in the more structurally robust Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis. An electrophysical process involving the role of the electrostatic tension on a charged body in a plasma is invoked to explain both observations. Since the efficacy of this electrophysical process depends not only on the tensile strength of the bacterial cell wall but also on its shape and texture, the need for more experimental studies, using a wide range of bacteria belonging to various morphological groups, is suggested. Ways to further test the validity of this electrophysical lysis mechanism for Gram-negative bacteria on one hand, and also to extend its operation to the more robust Gram-positive bacteria on the other, are suggested.
Original Publication Citation
Laroussi, M., Mendis, D.A., & Rosenberg, M. (2003). Plasma interaction with microbes. New Journal of Physics, 5. doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/5/1/341
Repository Citation
Laroussi, M.; Mendis, D. A.; and Rosenberg, M., "Plasma Interaction With Microbes" (2003). Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications. 4.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/ece_fac_pubs/4
Included in
Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Electrical and Computer Engineering Commons