Cold atmospheric gas plasma disinfection of chicken meat and chicken skin contaminated with Listeria innocua

Abstract

20Gas plasmas generated at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperatures offer a possible 21 decontamination method for poultry products. The efficacy of cold atmospheric gas plasmas 22 for decontaminating chicken skin and muscle inoculated with Listeria innocua was examined. 23Optimization of operating conditions for maximal bacterial inactivation was first achieved 24 using membrane filters on which L. innocua had been deposited. Higher values of AC 25 voltage, excitation frequency and the presence of oxygen in the carrier gas resulted in the 26 greatest inactivation efficiency, and this was confirmed with further studies on chicken 27 muscle and skin. Under optimal conditions, a 10 s treatment gave > 3 log reductions of L. 28innocua on membrane filters, an 8 min. treatment gave 1 log reduction on skin, and a 4 min.

Effect of low-pressure cold plasma on surface microflora of meat and quality attributes

“…The results suggest that the usage of argon and helium as a process gas may provide more efficient decontamination. Antimicrobial activity of cold plasma treatment on meat and meat products has been shown in various studies (Kim et al 2011;Moon et al 2009;Noriega et al 2011;Song et al 2009). Depending on the time of exposure, type of used gas, plasma sources or treated product, influence of cold plasma treatment on inactivation of microorganism is different.…”

A reference protocol for comparing the biocidal properties of gas plasma generating devices

“…The nature of the substrate itself can have a major impact on microbial survival. This was demonstrated by Noriega et al [25] who found that Listeria innocua survived the effects of plasma treatment better when applied to the skin of chicken than on chicken flesh. This was attributed to differences in surface topography; chicken skin is characterised by the existence of feather follicles inside which the bacteria are able to avoid the lethal effects of the plasma, whereas bacteria on the surface of the chicken flesh are more exposed to the chemical species present in the gas plasma.…”

Terminal sterilization: Conventional methods versus emerging cold atmospheric pressure plasma technology for non‐viable biological tissues

“…Tissue surface irregularity enables contaminant bacteria to migrate from the surface into the tissue, protecting it from the biocidal effect of sterilization. [151] There are natural intercellular microholes on AM epithelial surface ( Figure 2A, B), which have been proven to allow gas transmission through dried and cryopreserved AM upon transplantation. [152,153] These microholes are impermeable to bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Staphylococcus.…”

“…[82] and mobility of plasma gas can allow for treatment of microspaces [123,155] . Recent studies reported CAP efficacy in reducing microbial contamination adhered to rough surfaces of chicken skin [151] , titanium implant surfaces [156] and root canals, especially in dry state conditions. [157] This supports the appropriate use of CAP for sterilization of dry AM with a comparably soft homogenous surface (Figure 2A, C).…”