An Atmospheric-Pressure Low-Temperature Plasma Jet for Growth Inhibition of Escherichia Coli

Time-resolved imaging of an atmospheric-pressure low-temperature plasma jet showed the development of a “plasma bullet” during the discharge cycle, moving at velocities up to 2 ×10⁴ m/s. This plasma jet is applied to the bacterium Escherichia coli, and viability is assessed. The region of nonviability is circular with a diameter of about 8 mm, which is much larger than the diameter of the plasma jet (~ 1 mm). Further investigations are needed to fully understand the plasma bullet discharge behavior and the mechanisms rendering E. coli nonviable due to exposure to the plasma jet.