Molds produce harmful substances called mycotoxins that damage food and buildings. Scientists developed a mathematical formula to predict how cold plasma can kill mold colonies. This model works faster than actual experiments and could help control mold in food storage and building materials without using toxic chemicals.
This research develops a mathematical model to predict how cold atmospheric plasma kills mold, which is important because molds produce toxins that harm human and animal health and damage food and buildings. The model uses equations to describe mold growth and plasma effects, allowing researchers to predict outcomes in minutes rather than waiting weeks for lab experiments. The study found that plasma is most effective when its killing power matches the mold’s natural growth rate, causing complete extinction.
This study presents a mathematical formula that predicts how quickly cold atmospheric plasma can kill mold on surfaces. Researchers tested the model using a common mold species and found that when plasma energy matched the mold’s natural growth rate, the mold died completely. The advantage of this approach is that scientists can now predict mold elimination in minutes using calculations instead of waiting weeks for laboratory experiments.
This research develops a mathematical model to predict how cold atmospheric plasma kills mold colonies on surfaces. Using experiments with Aspergillus brasiliensis, scientists found that when plasma treatment strength matches the mold’s natural growth rate, the mold stops growing and eventually dies. The model can provide predictions in minutes that would normally take weeks of laboratory testing, making it useful for food industry and building material applications.
Researchers tested a new treatment called cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) combined with antifungal medications against fungi that cause serious eye infections. CAP, which generates reactive molecules without heat, was found to make antifungal drugs work better against two major fungal pathogens. In some cases, drugs that previously didn’t work started working when combined with CAP. This approach could help treat difficult fungal eye infections that are resistant to standard medications.
Researchers tested a new cold plasma technology combined with an existing anti-parasite drug (amphotericin B) against Leishmania parasites that cause skin infections. The cold plasma, which contains reactive chemicals, killed the parasites by triggering their programmed cell death (apoptosis) while causing minimal harm to human immune cells. When combined with the medication, the treatment was even more effective, potentially allowing lower drug doses with fewer side effects.