Sterilization of E-coli bacterium in a flowing N2-O2 post-discharge reactor

Effective destruction of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria has been obtained in a flowing N-2-O-2 microwave post-discharge reactor. The sterilizing agents are the 0 atoms and the UV emissions of NObeta which are produced by N and 0 atoms recombination in the reactor. In the following plasma conditions: pressure 5 Torr, flow rate I L-n min(-1) microwave power of 100 W in a quartz tube of 5 mm, an 0 atom density of 2.5 x 10(15) cm(-1) is measured by NO titration in the post-discharge reactor with UV emission in a N-2-(5%)O-2 gas mixture. Full destruction of 10(13) cfu ml(-1) E. coli is observed after a treatment time of 25 min.