Publication Date

8-2024

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

5-31-2024

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Science in Chemistry

Department Filter

Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

Supervisory Committee Chair

Kenneth A. Cornell, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Jim Browning, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Don L. Warner, Ph.D.

Abstract

Microbial contamination of food processing facilities is a major cause of human disease and economic loss. There are approximately 48,000,000 cases of foodborne illness in the United States annually, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 1,300 deaths. The total economic damages are estimated at $36 billion each year, including productive hours, medical expenses, and the disposal of contaminated foodstuffs. Current methods to reduce contamination on food processing surfaces utilize steam or concentrated chemicals (hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, strong acids, strong bases) that are hazardous to workers and required large volumes of water to remove prior to resuming contact with food. Ongoing outbreaks of foodborne disease, coupled with these hazards, suggest the need for improved methods of sanitization. One proposed alternative is cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP), which has been demonstrated in numerous studies to exert antimicrobial effects. CAP inactivation of microbes is mediated by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which can cause oxidative damage to biomolecules. However, the impact of different plasma treatments on their antimicrobial effects is not well-understood due to limited prior characterization of the contribution of different plasma parameters the production of RONS. In this work, we characterize the antimicrobial effects and RONS production by single linear CAP discharge and multiple linear array CAP discharge devices, focusing on pathogens relevant to food processing facilities. Importantly, we demonstrate powerful and rapid antimicrobial effects against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and multiple viruses. Additionally, we quantify the production of six different RONS, allowing for a comparison between RONS production and the antimicrobial effects observed with the different CAP treatments.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/td.2272.boisestate

Download

Included in

Chemistry Commons

Share

COinS