Plasma sterilization of cotton fabrics

The search for effective methods of sterilizing materials in hospital environments is crucial for preventing infections. Oxygen plasma has emerged as a promising alternative to autoclaving due to its potential to reduce sterilization time and improve the efficacy of the process. The present study aimed to assess the effects of exposing cotton tissues to oxygen plasma on inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans, aiming to contribute to a broader understanding of the applicability of this sterilization technique. Cotton tissues were exposed to oxygen plasma for varying periods of time. Morphological analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were conducted to assess potential changes in the structure and chemical composition of the fibers after plasma treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in the growth of Candida albicans colonies on tissues exposed to plasma, with greater efficacy observed in samples exposed for 10 minutes. EDX analysis indicated that plasm