Publication

Bactericidal Effect of Nanopulse Generated Plasma on <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> Spores at Different Humidity Levels

Ivo Furno
2026

Abstract

The antimicrobial properties of non‐thermal plasma (NTP) offer promising applications in sterilizing temperature‐sensitive materials. This study investigates how treatment parameters affect the inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores using a surface dielectric barrier discharge powered by a nanopulse supply. This setup enables NTP exposure without direct sample contact and under controlled conditions. The effects of sample distance (3−45 mm), exposure time (5–30 min), and relative humidity (RH) (40%–90%) were evaluated. Sporicidal activity was assessed using a previously established protocol, and gas‐phase species in NTP were analyzed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). All parameters significantly influenced inactivation. Notably, 90% RH led to up to 4‐log greater spore reduction, highlighting the critical role of humidity in enhancing NTP efficacy.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/6375b998-ce14-4056-80d5-fb9d285e2169

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Ivo Furno
2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/6375b998-ce14-4056-80d5-fb9d285e2169

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Bacillus

Bacillus (Latin "stick") is a genus of Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria, a member of the phylum Bacillota, with 266 named species. The term is also used to describe the shape (rod) of other so-shaped bacteria; and the plural Bacilli is the name of the class of bacteria to which this genus belongs. Bacillus species can be either obligate aerobes which are dependent on oxygen, or facultative anaerobes which can survive in the absence of oxygen. Cultured Bacillus species test positive for the enzyme catalase if oxygen has been used or is present.

Antimicrobial

An antimicrobial is an agent that kills microorganisms (microbicide) or stops their growth (bacteriostatic agent). Antimicrobial medicines can be grouped according to the microorganisms they act primarily against. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria, and antifungals are used against fungi. They can also be classified according to their function. The use of antimicrobial medicines to treat infection is known as antimicrobial chemotherapy, while the use of antimicrobial medicines to prevent infection is known as antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Humidity

Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor, the gaseous state of water, is generally invisible to the human eye. Humidity indicates the likelihood for precipitation, dew, or fog to be present. Humidity depends on the temperature and pressure of the system of interest. The same amount of water vapor results in higher relative humidity in cool air than warm air. A related parameter is the dew point. The amount of water vapor needed to achieve saturation increases as the temperature increases.