Sterilization of dental bacteria in a N2-O2microwaves post-discharge, at low pressure: influence of temperature

Abstract

Recently, plasmas have been largely studied to develop a new cold and safe sterilization process. The plasma efficiency on bacteria destruction has been proved at low or near atmospheric pressure. In our investigation we used a N2-O2 post discharge at low pressure, where the experimental conditions allowing the optimal production of active species have been determined: 100 Watt, 1 Ln.min−1, 5 Torr. By exposing E. coli to these plasma conditions, it is demonstrated a synergy of N and O active atoms on substrate temperature: a reduction of 6 log was achieved after a treatment time of 20 minutes at 80 °C and of 12 log after 5 minutes at 120 °C.