Viral disinfection using nonthermal plasma: A critical review and perspectives on the plasma-catalysis system

Cold plasma as an emerging catalytic route for oil modification

The effect of cold plasma on the oxidation, hydrogenation, transesterification, and pyrolysis reactions is investigated. Also, the effect of cold plasma parameters on these reactions and the advantages and challenges of cold plasma are investigated. Cold plasma can produce low-trans partial hydrogenated oil at low temperature without catalyst. Besides, oil modified through transesterification and pyrolysis processes using cold plasma technique can be used for biofuel production. Oxidation during cold plasma treatment can be inhibited by omitting the oxygen from carrier gas and applying the lowest possible input power and treatment time. One of the main challenges of using dielectric barrier discharge device at large scale is providing high plasma intensity for large amounts of raw materials. In microwave discharge plasma device, high capital investment is the main challenge for scaling up. In conclusion, cold plasma technique can hydrogenate and transesterify oils at low temperature.

Non-thermal plasma decontamination of microbes: a state of the art

Microbial decontamination is a critical concern in various sectors, from healthcare to food processing. Traditional decontamination methods, while effective to a degree, present limitations in terms of environmental impact, efficiency, and potential harm to the target material. This review investigates the emerging realm of non-thermal plasma (NTP) as a promising alternative for microbial decontamination, emphasizing its mechanisms, reactor designs and applications. The mechanism decomposed into physical, chemical and biological effects of plasma, are elaborated upon to provide a foundational understanding of the intrinsic principles of plasma decontamination. Except for the generation type of NTP, reactors and other parameters by which NTP achieves microbial decontamination, emphasizing the design considerations and parameters that influence its efficacy. Moreover, the latest applications of NTP in decontaminating air, water, and surfaces, supported by the latest research findings in each domain are explored. Additionally, the perspectives on the future research tendencies of NTP decontamination and disinfection are highlighted with potential avenues for exploration and innovation. Through this comprehensive review, the aim is to underscore the potential of NTP, particularly DBD plasma, as a versatile, efficient, and environmentally friendly method for microbial decontamination.

Cold Plasma-Induced Modulation of Protein and Lipid Macromolecules: A Review

Nowadays, the food industry is prioritizing many innovative processing technologies that can produce minimally processed foods with superior and higher quality, lower costs, and faster operations. Among these advancements, cold plasma (CP) processing stands out for its remarkable capabilities in food preservation and extending the shelf life. Beyond its established role in microbial inactivation, CP has emerged as a transformative tool for modifying food biomolecules through reactive plasma species, addressing the versatile requirements of food industries for various applications. This review focuses on the interactions between reactive plasma species and essential food macromolecules, including proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides. The novelty lies in its detailed examination of how CP technology triggers structural, functional, and biochemical changes in proteins and lipids and explains the mechanisms involved. It connects fundamental molecular transformations to practical applications, such as enhanced protein functionality, lipid stabilization, and improved oxidative resistance. CP induces alterations in protein structure, especially in amino acid configurations, that can be applicable to the formulation of advanced gel, 3D printing, thermostable emulsions, enhanced solubility, and sensory materials. This review explores the ability of CP to modify protein allergenicity, its different effects on the mechanical and interfacial properties of proteins, and its role in the production of trans-fat-free oils. Despite its potential, a detailed understanding of the mechanism of CP's interactions with food macromolecules is also discussed. Furthermore, this review addresses key challenges and outlines future research opportunities, positioning CP as a sustainable and adaptable approach for innovating next-generation food systems. Further research is crucial to fully understand the potential of CP for food processing, followed by product development.

Inactivation mechanism of cold plasma combined with 222 nm ultraviolet for spike protein and its application in disinfecting of SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly transmissible virus that has precipitated a worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease since 2019. Developing an effective disinfection strategy is crucial to prevent the risk of surface cross-contamination by SARS-CoV-2. This study employed pseudovirus and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS-CoV-2 as models to investigate the spike protein inactivation process and its underlying mechanisms using a novel nonthermal technology. Cold plasma combined with 222 nm ultraviolet (CP+UV) treatment was applied to accelerate the generation of reactive species and enhance sterilization efficiency. The results indicated that the binding activity of RBD protein was completely inhibited at specific concentrations (0.01-0.05 mg/cm2) with corresponding treatment times of 15-30 s. The mechanism potentially involves the reactive species generated by CP+UV, which react with the spike protein RBD of SARS-CoV-2, leading to the loss of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity by causing damage to the β-sheet structure and chemical bonds in the RBD protein. Validated by a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) laboratory, the CP+UV treatment for 30 s could completely inactivate SARS-CoV-2 with a concentration of 19054 ± 1112 TCID50/cm2. Therefore, this study potentially provides a novel disinfection strategy for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on surface cross-contamination.