Comparison of fungicidal properties of non-thermal plasma produced by corona discharge and dielectric barrier discharge.

The inactivation of four micromycete species by action of non-thermal plasma was followed. Two sources of plasma were compared, namely, positive corona discharge and dielectric barrier discharge. The corona discharge appeared as suitable for fungal spore inactivation in water suspension, whereas the barrier discharge inactivated spores on the surface of cultivation agar. Cladosporium sphaerospermum was the most sensitive, being inactivated within 10 min of exposure to plasma, whereas Aspergillus oryzae displayed decrease in viable cell count only, the complete inactivation was not achieved even after 40 min of exposure. Intermediate sensitivity was found for Alternaria sp. and Byssochlamys nivea. The significant delay of growth was observed for all fungi after exposure to sublethal dose of plasma, but we failed to express this effect quantitatively.

The survival of micromycetes and yeasts under the low-temperature plasma generated in electrical discharge.

The fungicidal effect of low-temperature plasma generated by positive direct current discharge and its influence on the growth dynamics was evaluated on three micromycete species and yeast in water suspensions. The fungicidal effect was lower than analogous bactericidal effect and differs substantially among various fungal species. Together with the cidal effects, the slower growth of exposed fungal spores was observed.