Publication detail
Microwave Plasma Torch Generated in Argon for Small Berries Surface Treatment
BOGDANOV, T. TSONEV, I. MARINOVA, P. BENOVA, E. RUSANOV, K. RUSANOVA, M. ATANASSOV, I. KOZÁKOVÁ, Z. KRČMA, F.
Original Title
Microwave Plasma Torch Generated in Argon for Small Berries Surface Treatment
Type
journal article in Web of Science
Language
English
Original Abstract
Demand for food quality and extended freshness without the use of harmful chemicals has become a major topic over the last decade. New technologies are using UV light, strong electric field, ozone and other reactive agents to decontaminate food surfaces. The low-power non-equilibrium (cold) atmospheric pressure operating plasmas effectively combines all the qualities mentioned above and thus, due to their synergetic influence, promising results in fruit surface decontamination can be obtained. The present paper focuses on the applicability of the recently developed microwave surface wave sustained plasma torch for the treatment of selected small fruit. Optical emission spectroscopy is used for the determination of plasma active particles (radicals, UV light) and plasma parameters during the fruit treatment. The infrared camera images confirm low and fully applicable heating of the treated surface that ensures no fruit quality changes. The detailed study shows that the efficiency of the microbial decontamination of selected fruits naturally contaminated by microorganisms is strongly dependent on the fruit surface shape. The decontamination of the rough strawberry surface seems inefficient using the current configuration, but for smooth berries promising results were obtained. Finally, antioxidant activity measurements demonstrate no changes due to plasma treatment. The results confirm that the MW surface wave sustained discharge is applicable to fruit surface decontamination.
Keywords
microwave discharge; surface wave sustained discharge; atmospheric pressure plasma torch; low-temperature plasma; plasma diagnostics; active particles’ distribution; biomedical plasma applications; food treatment and sterilization
Authors
BOGDANOV, T.; TSONEV, I.; MARINOVA, P.; BENOVA, E.; RUSANOV, K.; RUSANOVA, M.; ATANASSOV, I.; KOZÁKOVÁ, Z.; KRČMA, F.
Released
10. 10. 2018
Publisher
MDPI
ISBN
2076-3417
Periodical
Applied Sciences - Basel
Year of study
8
Number
10
State
Swiss Confederation
Pages from
1870-1
Pages to
1870-13
Pages count
13
URL
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