Heat-resistant spores on a dry, heat- and water-sensitive food matrix are difficult to inactivate. Radioactive or X-ray exposure is allowed and accepted only for some selected commodities. Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma treatments could offer an efficient, fast, and chemical-free solution. The effectiveness of direct contact cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) generated by a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) device and air as process gas was evaluated against spores of Bacillus spp., Geobacillus spp., and Penicillium spp. A maximum of 3 log₁₀ cycles of inactivation was achieved for B. coagulans spores exposed for only 10 s at low surface energy of 0.18 W/cm² determined directly at the electrodes. This corresponds to an initial decimal reduction time of D₁ = 0.1 min. Spores of B. subtilis are the most resistant amongst the studied strains (D₁ = 1.4 min). The determining parameter in the modeling of the inactivation curve is surface energy. Non-porous, native starch granules or shells from diatoms, a highly porous material, were also contaminated with spores and treated by DBD CAP. The inactivation level was significantly reduced by the presence of powders. Considering plasma diagnostics, it can be concluded that the spore shell is the primary and main target for a plasma-induced inactivation. The inactivation affect scales with surface energy and can be controlled directly via process time and/or discharge power.

在干燥，对热和水敏感的食物基质上的耐热孢子很难失活。仅某些选定的商品允许和接受放射性或X射线照射。非热大气压等离子体处理可以提供一种高效，快速且无化学物质的解决方案。针对芽孢杆菌属，地芽孢杆菌属和青霉菌属的孢子评估了由介电势垒放电（DBD）装置和空气作为工艺气体产生的直接接触冷大气等离子体（CAP）的有效性。在0.18 W / cm ^2的低表面能下，凝结芽孢杆菌的孢子仅暴露10 s，最多可实现3个log ₁₀灭活周期。直接在电极上确定。这对应于D ₁  = 0.1分钟的初始十进制减少时间。枯草芽孢杆菌的孢子在所研究的菌株中最具抗性（D ₁ = 1.4分钟）。灭活曲线建模中的决定性参数是表面能。硅藻（一种高度多孔的材料）的无孔天然淀粉颗粒或贝壳也被孢子污染，并用DBD CAP处理。粉末的存在大大降低了灭活水平。考虑到血浆诊断，可以得出结论，孢子壳是血浆诱导的失活的主要和主要靶标。失活会影响表面能，并且可以直接通过处理时间和/或放电功率进行控制。