New Germicidal Plasma Technology Extends Shelf Life Of Food, Could Reduce Waste

Scientists in Scotland have developed a plasma technology that temporarily converts oxygen in sealed food packages to ozone, killing any mold, fungi or bacteria before the ozone reverts to its oxygen state. The method uses a retractable device that generates plasma. The device is held against the surface of plastic or glass packaging where it splits the oxygen molecules (O₂), when then reform into ozone (O₃) molecules. The researchers say the technology’s effectiveness as a germicide extends shelf life by about a day, which would go "a significant way to cutting down on the seven million tons of food discarded in the U.K. each year".