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Journal of Medical Microbiology logo Journal of Medical Microbiology

Volume 74, Issue 1

Inactivation of , and multidrug-resistant with dielectric barrier discharged cold atmospheric plasma: a comparative study with antimicrobial drugs No Access

Abstract

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising technology for neutralizing microbes, including multidrug-resistant strains. This study investigates CAP’s potential as an alternative to traditional antimicrobial drugs for microbial inactivation.

In the era of increasing antimicrobial resistance, there is a persistent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. CAP exerts its effects by generating reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), but its comparative efficacy against antimicrobial drugs requires further exploration.

To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of CAP in inactivating multidrug-resistant (ATCC BAA-2469), (MTCC 96) and (MTCC 227) and to compare its effectiveness with standard antimicrobial drugs.

CAP, produced by an indigenously developed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) setup comprising a quartz-glass-covered high-voltage electrode and a grounded stainless steel mesh electrode, was used to treat three pathogenic samples with varying treatment times (0–60 s). The zone of inhibition (ZoI; zone where microbes cannot grow) induced by CAP was compared with the ZoI of selected antimicrobial drugs (5–300 mcg). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysed morphological changes, while optical emission spectroscopy (OES) detected RONS generated during treatment. Growth curve analysis assessed CAP’s impact on microbial growth, and statistical analysis compared CAP-induced ZoI with drug-induced ZoI.

CAP treatment produced substantial ZoI against , and with the largest ZoI (1194±35.35 mm²) in after 60 s. DBD–CAP showed equivalent or superior efficacy compared with selected antimicrobial drugs based on ZoI comparisons. SEM revealed extensive cellular damage in all three pathogens, with visible morphological disruption within 60 s. Growth curve analysis showed a significant delay in microbial proliferation with increasing CAP exposure, effectively inhibiting growth over 24 h. OES confirmed the presence of RONS-related molecular bands [N(C–B), N (B–X) and OH(A–X)] and atomic O lines in the CAP.

CAP treatment exhibits equivalent or superior antimicrobial activity compared to selected antimicrobial drugs. CAP treatment exerts effects by inactivating pathogens, disintegrating cellular morphology and delaying microbial growth. These findings highlight CAP as a promising alternative to prolonged treatments, addressing antimicrobial resistance and advancing clinical strategies.

  • Received:
  • Accepted:
  • Published Online:
Keyword(s): antibiotic resistance , antifungal , antimicrobial , cold atmospheric plasma , DBD–CAP and sterilization
Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (Award No. 5/3/8/85/2020-ITR dated 06/01/2021)
    • Principal Award Recipient: BiswasSubir
© 2025 The Authors
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2025-01-29
2026-02-19

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Inactivation of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli with dielectric barrier discharged cold atmospheric plasma: a comparative study with antimicrobial drugs
J. Med. Microbiol. 74, 001965 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001965
/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001965
/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001965
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