Laboratory of plasma applications in agriculture
Plasma source:
Plasma reactor based on DCSBD modified for treatment of plant seeds generating low temperature plasma in ambient air (N2, CO2, O2) at atmospheric pressure
The main aim of research
- The design, construction and verification of the prototype plasma device based on low-temperature plasma
- Treatment of plant seeds for sowing (cereals, legumes, nuts, spices and other) and stored agricultural commodities (mainly cereals, nuts, dried fruits) destined for human nutrition of the population as well as for farm animals
- The study of the plasma effects on growth, physiological, biochemical, molecular and anatomy-structural aspects of plants seeds after seed plasma treatment
- The diagnostics of low-temperature plasma using optical and electrical methods and the assessment of correlation between the plasma parameters and the optimal plasma effects on the surface of biological materials
Materials
- cereals (maize, wheat, barley)
- legumes (peas, soyabeans, beans)
- spices (black pepper)
- nuts (hazelnuts, peanuts)
Diagnostics of plasma influence on biological material
- Physiological properties
- Germination and growth parameters
- Decontamination of surface
- Influence of plasma on native and artificial microcenosis
- Content of biological active compounds
- Antioxidants and oxidative characteristics
- Qualitative parameters of oil in nuts
- Detection of piperine in pepper
- Physical (surface) properties
- Surface wettability – WCA, imbibition
- Influence of plasma on surface morphology – SEM
- Changes in chemical bonds – ATR –FTIR
- Ageing of plasma treatment
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Fig. 1 Plasma treatment of maize in ambient air using DCSBD |
Fig. 2 Germination and seedlings characteristics of untreated and plasma treated maize seeds |
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Fig. 3 Inactivation of Fusarium nivale on wheat (control, 30s and 60 s plasma treated sample after 3 days) |
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Fig. 4. Morphology characterization of untreated and plasma treated black peppercorn |
Fig. 5. Biomass production of plants from untreated and treated seeds |
Collaboration with:
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Slovakia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
Contact:
Doc. RNDr. Anna Zahoranová, PhD.
F2-40
Email: zahoranova(at)fmph.uniba.sk
Phone Nr: +421 2 602 95 529
RNDr. Veronika Medvecká, PhD.
F2-41
Email: veronika.medvecka(at)fmph.uniba.sk
Phone Nr: +421 2 602 95 677