DC corona discharges in air for bio-decontamination of glass surface from Escherichia coli

Corona discharges in air in positive and negative polarity were used for biodecontamination of glass surfaces from planktonic Escherichia coli and its biofilm. In order to enhance the bactericidal effect of the plasma, water was electrosprayed from a hollow electrode onto the sample for either half or the entire treatment time. The best biodecontamination efficiency of 4.5 log was achieved with electrospray during 20 min of treatment by positive streamer corona. Our first results on E. coli biofilm treatment are presented and a possible loss of biofilm biomass is measured. In order to better understand the processes of bacteria inactivation, the electrosprayed water was chemically analysed.