Prolonged Preservation and Sterilization of Fresh Plants in Controlled Environments Using High-Field Plasma

A high-field plasma technique in an atmospheric pressure has been developed to control and keep the environmental atmosphere in clean state, such as sterilization, and for longer sustenance of plants like vegetables, fruits, and flowers in a fresh state. The high-field plasma system is designed to have no apparent discharges between electrodes and an electric field inside the system of 3-4 × 10⁶ V/m, at most, in the atmospheric pressure. The study shows that fresh fruits are preserved for a much longer duration using the high-field plasma technique compared with those by the conventional method employed so far without increasing bacteria or mold on the surface. A special refrigerator was developed and equipped with a high-field plasma system with a precise temperature and humidity control system. Usage of harmful or poisonous products such as ozone, OH radicals, or UV light is suppressed in the refrigerator.