Abstract
The action of nonthermal atmospheric air plasma, producing the rich amount of reactive particles from surrounding air, on strawberries microbial decontamination was investigated. The plasma produced by the multipoint AC corona discharge fed by a Tesla coil and applied on strawberries leads to a substantial reduction of microbial load without influencing the sensory properties like taste and color.
After the plasma treatment, the strawberries stored in conditions similar to the store remained healthy in appearance for up to 4 days longer. Although the number of healthy untreated strawberries decreased in 1 day under 80%, the number of treated ones remained over 80% up to 4 days of storage.
Novelty impact statement Plasma treatment significantly reduced the microbial contamination of strawberries. Plasma significantly prolonged the shelf life of strawberries.
Plasma neither influenced the sensory properties nor the color of exposed strawberries.