Integrated in-package treatment of hydrogen peroxide and cold plasma for microbial inactivation of cabbage slices

The efficacy of an in-package microbial inactivation method, combining H₂O₂ and atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (ADCP) treatments (H₂O₂-ADCP), in reducing contamination of Brassica oleracea (cabbage) slices was investigated. Cabbage slices were placed in a polyethylene terephthalate container with a H₂O₂-soaked polypropylene pad attached to the inside of the lid, followed by subjecting the closed container to ADCP treatment. The H₂O₂-ADCP treatment inactivated Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes, resulting in reductions of 1.8 and 2.0 log CFU/g, respectively, which were greater than the sum of the inactivation effects observed with each individual treatment. The combined treatment decreased the count of Bacillus cereus spores and indigenous bacteria by 1.0 log spores/g and 1.3 log CFU/g, respectively. Moreover, the in-package method did not alter the moisture content or texture of cabbage slices. These results demonstrate the potential of H₂O₂-ADCP as a microbial decontamination method for packaged cabbage slices.