Mechanisms of Inactivation by High-Voltage Atmospheric Cold Plasma Differ for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a promising nonthermal technology effective against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial inactivation role when air or other oxygen-containing gases are used. With strong oxidative stress, cells can be damaged by lip...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied and environmental microbiology 2016-01, Vol.82 (2), p.450-458
Main Authors: Han, L, Patil, S, Boehm, D, Milosavljević, V, Cullen, P J, Bourke, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cells
Disinfection - instrumentation
Disinfection - methods
DNA damage
DNA Damage - drug effects
E coli
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli - drug effects
Escherichia coli - genetics
Escherichia coli - growth & development
Escherichia coli - metabolism
Food Microbiology
Microbial Viability - drug effects
Oxidative stress
Plasma Gases - toxicity
Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism
Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects
Staphylococcus aureus - genetics
Staphylococcus aureus - growth & development
Staphylococcus aureus - metabolism
Staphylococcus infections
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Summary:Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is a promising nonthermal technology effective against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial inactivation role when air or other oxygen-containing gases are used. With strong oxidative stress, cells can be damaged by lipid peroxidation, enzyme inactivation, and DNA cleavage. Identification of ROS and an understanding of their role are important for advancing ACP applications for a range of complex microbiological issues. In this study, the inactivation efficacy of in-package high-voltage (80 kV [root mean square]) ACP (HVACP) and the role of intracellular ROS were investigated. Two mechanisms of inactivation were observed in which reactive species were found to either react primarily with the cell envelope or damage intracellular components. Escherichia coli was inactivated mainly by cell leakage and low-level DNA damage. Conversely, Staphylococcus aureus was mainly inactivated by intracellular damage, with significantly higher levels of intracellular ROS observed and little envelope damage. However, for both bacteria studied, increasing treatment time had a positive effect on the intracellular ROS levels generated.
ISSN:0099-2240
1098-5336
DOI:10.1128/aem.02660-15