Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films ISTJoint study “Production, shelf life and surface sanitizing efficacy of plasma-treated liquids” is published
Plasma-activated water – Fraunhofer IST investigates chemical-free disinfection method
In times of increasingly stringent hygiene and food-safety requirements, the need for effective but simultaneously environmentally-friendly disinfection methods is growing. One possible alternative to conventional disinfectants is provided by plasma-activated water. The Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP, has investigated the effectiveness and durability of this innovative solution, and has summarized the results in a study.
Atmospheric-pressure plasma processes as a chemical-free disinfection method have been the subject of investigation for several years now. In the collaborative study, researchers from the two institutions treated water with atmospheric-pressure plasma sources in order to “activate” it. During the process, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are formed that have an antimicrobial effect. At the Fraunhofer IST, the focus lay upon the influence of treatment duration and temperature on the formation of the reactive compounds and, consequently, the disinfection effect.
The test results are promising: The plasma-activated water demonstrates a shelf life of more than ten months as well as good antimicrobial efficacy. “Plasma-activated water enables effective surface disinfection without any chemical additives whatsoever. This opens up enormous potential for the implementation of sustainable hygiene concepts in sensitive areas such as food processing or medical technology,” explained Dr. Kristina Lachmann, Head of Medical and Pharmaceutical Process Engineering at the Fraunhofer IST.
On the basis of the study results, the researchers are now continuing their work within the scope of the collaborative CherRHy funded project. The aim is to further develop cleaning and hygienization processes in pipelines by means of plasma- and electrochemically activated water, thereby taking a further step towards resource-conserving and safe, future-proof hygiene solutions. Parallel to this, the two Fraunhofer institutes have already established contact with a number of partners from the pharmaceutical industry and remain open to further opportunities for cooperation.
Link to the study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0257897225003664
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