Cumulative damage by nonthermal plasma (NTP) exceeds the defense barrier of multiple antibiotic-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>: a key to achieve complete inactivation

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding the nonthermal plasma (NTP)-induced inactivated behaviors on multiple antibiotic–resistant (MAR) Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Materials and Methods A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) NTP system employed for inactivation MAR S. under various applied powers 35, 45, 55 W, gas distances 4, 6, 8 mm. kinetics were estimated with linear nonlinear predictive models. In addition, degradation carotenoid pigment, peroxidation fatty acids, oxidation nucleic acids proteins, alteration in gene expression analyzed after treatment. Results Discussion computationally simulated results indicated that densities reactive species increased enhanced decreased distances. These further transformed into oxidative nitrogen gas–liquid interphase liquid phase. nitrosative stress resulted severe damage cellular components morphological structure aureus. On other hand, could also induce sublethal injury through upregulating general response, antioxidative antinitrosative defensive systems. Once cumulative damages overrode tolerance aureus, completed cell death finally achieved by NTP. Conclusions This work infers possible risk inducing repair resistant capacity pathogens when parameters are inappropriate, which helps optimization process achieve sufficient inactivation.