Non-thermal plasma can be used to sanitize fresh foods grown in the space habitat and to sanitize raw ingredients either produced on orbit or sent up as bulk raw ingredients. Non-thermal plasma does not raise the temperature of the treated food significantly, so it has minimal effect on food quality. Non-thermal plasma can replace chemical disinfectants in most applications. The technology has low system mass, consumable mass, and power consumption. The function of this technology is insensitive to reduced cabin pressure and reduced gravity.
Terrestrially, non-thermal plasma sanitation technology can reduce the number of cases of food-borne illness due to contaminations by sanitizing food at the point of use, such as a restaurant, or at a food processing facility. This technology can be used in place of chlorinated water, which can leave a residue and is not entirely effective, and irradiation, which generally has a poor public perception.
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