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Article

Inactivation of Bacillus cereus Spores and Vegetative Cells in Inert Matrix and Rice Grains Using Low-Pressure Cold Plasma

by
María Inés Valdez-Narváez
,
M. Teresa Fernández-Felipe
,
Antonio Martinez
and
Dolores Rodrigo
*
Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos (IATA-CSIC), 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Foods 2024, 13(14), 2223; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13142223
Submission received: 27 June 2024 / Accepted: 12 July 2024 / Published: 15 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Technologies in Food Safety Intervention)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of low-pressure cold plasma on the inactivation of Bacillus cereus vegetative cells and spores in an inert matrix (borosilicate glass slide) and in rice grains, using oxygen as ionization gas. Greater reductions in B. cereus counts were observed in vegetative cells rather than spores. The experimental data obtained show that both the power of the plasma treatment and the matrix proved to be determining factors in the inactivation of both the spores and vegetative cells of B. cereus. To characterize the inactivation of B. cereus, experimental data were accurately fitted to the Weibull model. A significant decrease in parameter “a”, representing resistance to treatment, was confirmed with treatment intensification. Furthermore, significant differences in the “a” value were observed between spores in inert and food matrices, suggesting the additional protective role of the food matrix for B. cereus spores. These results demonstrate the importance of considering matrix effects in plasma treatment to ensure the effective inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, particularly in foods with low water activity, such as rice. This approach contributes to mitigating the impact of foodborne illnesses caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
Keywords: low-pressure cold plasma; B. cereus; spore; rice; Weibull model low-pressure cold plasma; B. cereus; spore; rice; Weibull model

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MDPI and ACS Style

Valdez-Narváez, M.I.; Fernández-Felipe, M.T.; Martinez, A.; Rodrigo, D. Inactivation of Bacillus cereus Spores and Vegetative Cells in Inert Matrix and Rice Grains Using Low-Pressure Cold Plasma. Foods 2024, 13, 2223. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13142223

AMA Style

Valdez-Narváez MI, Fernández-Felipe MT, Martinez A, Rodrigo D. Inactivation of Bacillus cereus Spores and Vegetative Cells in Inert Matrix and Rice Grains Using Low-Pressure Cold Plasma. Foods. 2024; 13(14):2223. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13142223

Chicago/Turabian Style

Valdez-Narváez, María Inés, M. Teresa Fernández-Felipe, Antonio Martinez, and Dolores Rodrigo. 2024. "Inactivation of Bacillus cereus Spores and Vegetative Cells in Inert Matrix and Rice Grains Using Low-Pressure Cold Plasma" Foods 13, no. 14: 2223. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13142223

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