Generation and characterization of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge air plasma and its antifungal potential: a case study on Alternaria alternata

The present research evaluates the generation and characterization of 26 kHz-atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) air plasma (DBD-AP) and the possible antifungal action against the pathogenic fungus Alternaria alternata. The DBD-AP visual and emission spectra intensities increased with increasing the applied voltage. The generated plasma was mainly inhomogeneous due to the presence of streamers in the discharge gap and it showed diffuse with less gap distance or with increasing the applied voltage. The measured consumed power was 26.52 W for 10.3 kV and 17.4 mA at 3 mm gap. The emission spectra showed the presence of NO and N2 bands which were enhanced due to the increase of the applied voltage. Significant reduction in A. alternata growth accompanied by loss of fungal cells structure was observed with increasing the DBD-AP exposure time. The present article confirms the potential of DBD-AP to efficiently control the plant-pathogenic fungus A. alternata.