In-package cold plasma technologies

Cold plasma is an ideal antimicrobial agent with a gamut of reactive chemical species, that could be obtained from electrical discharges in atmospheric gases. The reactive species are effective against a range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, spores and viruses, as well as pesticides and mycotoxins. Generation of cold plasma inside sealed packages allows to localise and extend the action time of reactive species on microorganisms, while preventing any post-process contamination. In this review, we present an examination of the design aspects of the in-package plasma systems, the packaging requirements, and discuss their efficacy with respect to microbiological and chemical safety of foods.