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R. RUAN and P. Chen. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108

This presentation will talk about the basics of nonthermal plasma technology and its potential applications in the food industry. Recent experimental data will be discussed. Nonthermal plasma technology relies on electric discharge into air or liquid to produce energetic atoms, highly reactive radicals, ozone, etc., that can kill microbes in contact. In nonthermal plasma, electric energy is mostly used to generate nonthermal plasma species instead of heat. Therefore, this technology is energy-efficient and will cause minimal heat-induced damages to food products. Potential applications include pasteurization of liquid food products; produce wash; disinfection of processing equipment, plant floors, and packaging materials; city water and wastewater treatment; and air pollution control.