Argon Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-Induced Effects on Glucose.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Plasma Physics

Background:

• Glucose is a fundamental biomolecule with significant implications in biological and chemical processes.
• Understanding the impact of external stimuli, such as plasma, on glucose is crucial for various applications.
• Atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) offers a unique environment for surface modification and chemical reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of argon-driven atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) on glucose.
• To characterize the surface chemistry and structural changes of glucose after APP treatment.
• To correlate plasma exposure duration with the observed modifications in glucose.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of the plasma discharge using optical emission spectroscopy.
• Surface analysis of glucose samples using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to determine elemental composition and chemical states.
• Analysis of molecular structure changes using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy.

Main Results:

• APP treatment led to significant surface oxidation and minor nitrogen incorporation on glucose.
• ATR-FTIR spectra revealed an opening of the glucopyranose ring, indicating degradation.
• Formation of carbonyl groups (C=O), carbon-nitrogen moieties, and carbon-carbon double bonds were observed due to reactive species in the plasma.

Conclusions:

• Atmospheric pressure plasma significantly alters the chemical structure of glucose.
• The observed degradation and formation of new chemical bonds are dependent on plasma exposure duration.
• APP treatment offers a method for modifying glucose at the molecular level, with potential implications in food science and biomaterials.