Low-pressure microwave plasma sterilization of polyethylene terephthalate bottles. 2008

Michael Deilmann, and Helmut Halfmann, and Nikita Bibinov, and Joachim Wunderlich, and Peter Awakowicz
Institute for Electrical Engineering and Plasma Technology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany. deilmann@aept.rub.de

A low-pressure microwave plasma reactor was developed for sterilization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. In contrast to the established method using aseptic filling machines based on toxic sterilants, here a microwave plasma is ignited inside a bottle by using a gas mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. To that effect, a reactor setup was developed based on a Plasmaline antenna allowing for plasma ignition inside three-dimensional packages. A treatment time below 5 s is provided for a reduction of 10(5) and 10(4) CFU of Bacillus atrophaeus and Aspergillus niger, respectively, verified by means of a count reduction test. The sterilization results obtained by means of this challenge test are in accordance with requirements for aseptic packaging machines as defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the German Engineering Federation. The plasma sterilization process developed here for aseptic filling of beverages is a dry process that avoids residues and the use of maximum allowable concentrations of established sterilants, e.g., hydrogen peroxide.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008452 Maximum Allowable Concentration The maximum exposure to a biologically active physical or chemical agent that is allowed during an 8-hour period (a workday) in a population of workers, or during a 24-hour period in the general population, which does not appear to cause appreciable harm, whether immediate or delayed for any period, in the target population. (From Lewis Dictionary of Toxicology, 1st ed) Maximum Permissible Exposure Level,MPEL,Maximum Permissible Exposure Concentration,Allowable Concentration, Maximum,Allowable Concentrations, Maximum,Concentration, Maximum Allowable,Concentrations, Maximum Allowable,MPELs,Maximum Allowable Concentrations
D008872 Microwaves That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from the UHF (ultrahigh frequency) radio waves and extending into the INFRARED RAYS frequencies. EHF Waves,Extremely High Frequency Radio Waves,Micro Wave,Micro Waves,Ultrahigh Frequency Waves,Microwave Radiation,EHF Wave,Micro Waves,Microwave,Microwave Radiations,Radiation, Microwave,Ultrahigh Frequency Wave,Wave, EHF,Wave, Micro,Wave, Ultrahigh Frequency,Waves, Micro
D010949 Plasma The residual portion of BLOOD that is left after removal of BLOOD CELLS by CENTRIFUGATION without prior BLOOD COAGULATION. Blood Plasma,Fresh Frozen Plasma,Blood Plasmas,Fresh Frozen Plasmas,Frozen Plasma, Fresh,Frozen Plasmas, Fresh,Plasma, Blood,Plasma, Fresh Frozen,Plasmas,Plasmas, Blood,Plasmas, Fresh Frozen
D011093 Polyethylene Terephthalates Polyester polymers formed from terephthalic acid or its esters and ethylene glycol. They can be formed into tapes, films or pulled into fibers that are pressed into meshes or woven into fabrics. Dacron,Nalophan,PET Polymer,Poly(Ethylene Terephtalate),Polyethylene Terephthalate,Tedlar,Dacrons,Nalophans,PET Polymers,Tedlars,Terephthalate, Polyethylene,Terephthalates, Polyethylene
D011312 Pressure A type of stress exerted uniformly in all directions. Its measure is the force exerted per unit area. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Pressures
D004202 Disinfectants Substances used on inanimate objects that destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity. Disinfectants are classed as complete, destroying SPORES as well as vegetative forms of microorganisms, or incomplete, destroying only vegetative forms of the organisms. They are distinguished from ANTISEPTICS, which are local anti-infective agents used on humans and other animals. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed) Biocide,Disinfectant,Biocides
D005516 Food Microbiology The presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in food and food products. This term is not restricted to pathogenic organisms: the presence of various non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi in cheeses and wines, for example, is included in this concept. Microbiology, Food
D001234 Aspergillus niger An imperfect fungus causing smut or black mold of several fruits and vegetables such as grapes, apricots, onions, and peanuts, and is a common contaminant of food. Aspergillus lacticoffeatus
D001407 Bacillus A genus of BACILLACEAE that are spore-forming, rod-shaped cells. Most species are saprophytic soil forms with only a few species being pathogenic. Bacillus bacterium
D013242 Sterilization The destroying of all forms of life, especially microorganisms, by heat, chemical, or other means.

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