Potassium Iodide Potentiates Bacterial Killing by Helium Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an effective new antimicrobial approach that is gaining increasing attention and has a wide range of potential applications in biomedical fields. Among all of the bactericidal factors generated by CAP, the synergy of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and reactive oxygen species is generally considered as the main reason for its high bactericidal efficiency. However, the produced RNS (such as nitrite) may also pose potential risks to human health. Therefore, it is of significance to keep the high disinfection efficiency of CAP but with producing no or little harmful RNS. In this study, we investigated whether it is possible to improve the disinfection efficiency of CAP without producing the harmful RNS by adding a certain amount of inert halogen salt such as potassium iodide (KI). We found that the inactivation of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria by helium atmospheric pressure plasma jet (He-APPJ), one form of CAP, is enhanced consistently in the presence of a certain amount of KI. The mechanism of action is due to the fact that the He-APPJ-generated hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) oxidizes the iodide anion to triiodide (I 3 – ), which contributes to the major bactericidal activity. We believe that the results in this work can be highly relevant to the practical application of plasma for disinfection in the biomedical field.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli using atmospheric pressure cold plasma jet with thin quartz tubes

“…The generation of highly active aldehydes can also cause protein denaturation, leading to bactericidal effects. Using the combined effects of the gas flow field and space electric field, atmospheric pressure cold plasma jets (APPJs) [9][10][11] can produce non-equilibrium plasma in the surrounding area outside the discharge gap. The discharge region can eject plasma from the quartz tube, thereby generating a plasma jet in a gas environment without a solid-bound constraint.…”

Highly Selective Detection of Iodide in Biological, Food, and Environmental Samples Using Polymer-Capped Silver Nanoparticles: Preparation of a Paper-Based Testing Kit for On-Site Monitoring

“…Millions of people are affected by iodide deficiency globally, which is known as hypothyrodism. , On the other hand, an excess of iodine present in our body is called hyperthyrodism. Hypo- and hyperthyrodism can cause goiter, anxiety, nervous agitation in dementia, confusion, circulatory system disorders, agitation, and weight loss. − These deficiencies also can cause mental defects, spontaneous abortion, and an increased number of infant deaths. − Iodide deficiency can be prevented by ensuring optimal iodide intake from food and medicine . The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that the daily intake of iodide is 150 μg/day. , Therefore, the detection of iodide using a simple protocol with high sensitivity and selectivity is very important for both physiological and environmental impact. , …”