Comparison of Performance of Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Biocides on the Inactivation of Alternaria sp.

In this article, the inactivation of Alternaria sp. is investigated using cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and the results compared with two conventional techniques: 1) sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) and 2) quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC). CAP generated by a pulsed corona discharge device was evaluated against suspension of spore of Alternaria sp. ($5\times10$3 conidia.mL$^{-1}$) inside a test tube. The results were compared with conventional techniques of water disinfection by NaDCC (200 and 400 ppm) or QAC (1000 ppm). Plasma treatment duration time greater than or equal to 3 min, using a voltage pulse of 20 kV, and greater than or equal to 9 min, using a voltage pulse of 10 kV, was effective in the inactivation. For conventional treatment, spores were only effectively inactivated when concentration of 400 ppm of NaDCC.