Development and Characterization of Pilot-Scale Remote Cold Plasma Treatment (RCPT) System for Fruit Surface Decontamination

IF 2.5 3区物理与天体物理 Q3 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing Pub Date : 2025-06-09 DOI:10.1007/s11090-025-10577-w

Mathin Jaikua, Jakkrawut Maitip, Sunisa Ungwiwatkul, Woranika Promsart, Kanyarak Prasertboonyai, Arlee Tamman, Pichitpon Neamyou, Phuthidhorn Thana

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Abstract

This study presents the development and characterization of a pilot-scale remote cold plasma treatment (RCPT) system designed for the surface decontamination of fruits. The developed system utilizes long-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), generated in the plasma afterglow region of a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor, offering a safe and effective method for microbial disinfection and pesticide residue removal from fruit surfaces. Plasma diagnostics, visualization of RONS distribution, and measurements of RONS gas concentrations were conducted to analyze the types and spatial distribution of RONS within the treatment chamber. The efficacy of the RCPT system was evaluated through in vitro bacterial inactivation assays using Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as antimicrobial activity analysis on Cripps Pink apples and Shine Muscat grapes. The results indicated that the RCPT system achieved a microbial reduction exceeding 98%. Furthermore, pesticide residue analysis confirmed the effectiveness of the developed system in degrading harmful chemical residues. These findings highlight the RCPT system as a promising non-thermal, water-free, and chemical-free approach for postharvest fruit decontamination, contributing to enhanced food safety and extended shelf life. Future studies will focus on optimizing treatment parameters and addressing challenges related to large-scale implementation and the preservation of fruit quality.

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中试规模远程冷等离子体处理（RCPT）水果表面去污系统的研制与表征

本研究介绍了一种用于水果表面净化的中试规模远程冷等离子体处理（RCPT）系统的开发和特性。该系统利用在同轴介质阻挡放电（DBD）等离子体反应器的等离子体余光区产生的长寿命活性氧和活性氮（RONS），为水果表面的微生物消毒和农药残留去除提供了一种安全有效的方法。通过等离子体诊断、粒子束分布可视化和粒子束气体浓度测量，分析了处理室内粒子束的类型和空间分布。通过对大肠杆菌（E. coli）和耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）的体外抑菌试验，以及对克里普斯粉红苹果和夏恩麝香葡萄的抑菌活性分析，评价了RCPT系统的抑菌效果。结果表明，RCPT系统的微生物减量超过98%。此外，农药残留分析证实了所开发的系统在降解有害化学残留方面的有效性。这些发现强调了RCPT系统是一种很有前途的非热、无水和无化学物质的水果采后净化方法，有助于提高食品安全性和延长保质期。未来的研究将集中在优化处理参数，解决大规模实施和水果品质保存相关的挑战。

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来源期刊

Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

5.90

自引率

8.30%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Publishing original papers on fundamental and applied research in plasma chemistry and plasma processing, the scope of this journal includes processing plasmas ranging from non-thermal plasmas to thermal plasmas, and fundamental plasma studies as well as studies of specific plasma applications. Such applications include but are not limited to plasma catalysis, environmental processing including treatment of liquids and gases, biological applications of plasmas including plasma medicine and agriculture, surface modification and deposition, powder and nanostructure synthesis, energy applications including plasma combustion and reforming, resource recovery, coupling of plasmas and electrochemistry, and plasma etching. Studies of chemical kinetics in plasmas, and the interactions of plasmas with surfaces are also solicited. It is essential that submissions include substantial consideration of the role of the plasma, for example, the relevant plasma chemistry, plasma physics or plasma–surface interactions; manuscripts that consider solely the properties of materials or substances processed using a plasma are not within the journal’s scope.