Efficiency of plasma‐processed air for biological decontamination of crop seeds on the premise of unimpaired seed germination

Abstract

In this study, the antimicrobial effect of plasma‐processed air (PPA) generated by a microwave‐induced nonthermal plasma was investigated for preharvest utilization using three crop species: Barley, rape, and lupine. Bacillus atrophaeus spores were chosen as a model, inoculated onto seeds, and subsequently treated with PPA at two different flow rates, different filling regimes, and gas exposure times. PPA treatment was efficient in reducing viable spores of B. atrophaeus, reaching sporicidal effects in all species at certain parameter combinations. Maximum germination of seeds was strongly reduced in barley and rape seeds at some parameter combination, whereas it had a modest effect on lupine seeds. Seed hydrophilicity was not altered. Overall, PPA investigated in this study proved suitable for preharvest applications.

The Effects of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma on Germination Parameters, Enzyme Activities and Induction of DNA Damage in Barley

“…However, Hthis is not the only problem with plasma treatment. Sometimes, the exposure time necessary for pathogen inactivation is too long and also causes damage to seeds, resulting in lower germination, as was shown in previous studies [ 24 , 25 ]. It was shown that longer exposure of seeds to plasma can cause serious damage to seed morphology that leads to reduced germination.…”

Outcomes of Pulsed Electric Fields and Nonthermal Plasma Treatments on Seed Germination and Protein Functions

“…Barley (Hordeum vulgare) seeds' treatment with microwave-driven Air plasma showed a negative effect on maximum germination [79], while barley seeds treated with lowpressure (26 Pa) plasma had no effect on the germination [81], whereas treatment with surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) plasma resulted in the early growth of barley sprouts [80]. The increase in early growth and fresh weight of barley sprouts was due to improved levels of the primary metabolites (soluble sugars and free amino acids) and secondary metabolites (saponarin, GABA, and policosanols) [80].…”

A Review of Microbial Decontamination of Cereals by Non-Thermal Plasma

“…In the work [71], unusual plasma-processed air (PPA) was used for inactivation of B. atrophaeus (DSM 675) endospores on barley grains, where gas flows from the active plasma to the incubation bottles. The number of spores was reduced from the initial concentration of ~10 6 CFU/per 10 g by 3.00 ± 0.33 log 10 after 3 min of exposure.…”