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2025 Vol.1, Issue 3 Preview Page

Technical Note

Inactivation of foodborne microorganisms using an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilizer
Woan-Sub Kim12*
,
Jeong Sam Park3
1Division of Applied Animal Science, School of Animal Life Convergence Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
2Institute of Applied Humanimal Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
3Management Support Office, Purunbit Inc, Siheung 15084, Republic of Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 September 2025. pp. 102-110
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Abstract

This study evaluated ozone generation and its bactericidal effects using an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilizer. Ozone concentration increased linearly with operating time, reaching approximately 224 ppm at 60 min. At 30 min of ozone generation, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibited increased reductions with longer retention times but were not completely inactivated, whereas Salmonella Enteritidis was fully inactivated after 20 min of retention. When ozone was generated for 60 min, all tested pathogens were completely inactivated even at short retention times. However, survival of Ent. faecalis was still observed at 50 min (215 ppm), indicating that microbial susceptibility may vary depending on cell wall characteristics. To examine applicability in food systems, eggs were treated under the effective condition (224.3 ppm, immediate exposure), and microbial reduction was observed, although the low initial contamination level limited clear verification of treatment efficacy. Ozone is recognized for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeasts, molds, and viruses, while maintaining product quality as a non-thermal process. The present findings support its potential as a residue-free sterilization method for food applications, although issues related to material corrosion, worker safety, and possible quality changes emphasize the need for further studies to optimize conditions and validate large-scale industrial applicability.

Keywords
Atmospheric pressure plasma
Food safety
Microbial inactivation
Ozone sterilization
Pathogenic microorganisms
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Information
  • Publisher :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Publisher(Ko) :한경국립대학교 휴머니멀응용과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Journal Title(Ko) :휴머니멀과학학술지
  • Volume : 1
  • No :3
  • Pages :102-110
  • Received Date : 2025-09-03
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-15
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.23341/jhas.2025.1.3.102
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