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

  • Authors:
    • Hideharu Shintani
    • Akikazu Sakudo
    • Peter Burke
    • Gerald McDonnell
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 21, 2010     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2010.136
  • Pages: 731-738
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


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.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

September-October 2010
Volume 1 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Shintani H, Sakudo A, Burke P and McDonnell G: Gas plasma sterilization of microorganisms and mechanisms of action (Review). Exp Ther Med 1: 731-738, 2010.
APA
Shintani, H., Sakudo, A., Burke, P., & McDonnell, G. (2010). Gas plasma sterilization of microorganisms and mechanisms of action (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 1, 731-738. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2010.136
MLA
Shintani, H., Sakudo, A., Burke, P., McDonnell, G."Gas plasma sterilization of microorganisms and mechanisms of action (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 1.5 (2010): 731-738.
Chicago
Shintani, H., Sakudo, A., Burke, P., McDonnell, G."Gas plasma sterilization of microorganisms and mechanisms of action (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 1, no. 5 (2010): 731-738. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2010.136