EFFECT OF LOW PRESSURE RF PLASMA CONTAINING CLOVE OIL AGAINST THE GROWTH FORMATION BY ASPERGILLUS NIGER IN CULTURE MEDIA

The effect of low pressure RF plasma at 10 and 20 W containing 100 µl and 200 µl of clove oil in filter paper against the growth and spore production formation by Aspergillus niger was investigated in synthetic media (malt extract agar: MEA). The spore growth was completely prevented at low pressure RF plasma at 20 W with 200 µl of clove oil vapors on the MEA. The low pressure RF plasma at 10 W containing 200 µl of clove oil vapors also significantly suppressed the mycelial growth in the medium tested (P<0.05). The results suggested the potential substitution of antifungal chemicals with low pressure RF plasma containing clove oil vapor as a natural inhibitor to control the growth of molds.