Dishwashing tools such as sponges, scourers, and dishcloths are known to harbor dense and diverse microbial communities, including pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the potential of corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) as a disinfectant was tested to improve the hygienic quality of dishwashing tools. For the simulation of microbial contamination, selective pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas putida) were inoculated on selected dishwashing tools (dishcloth, sponge, and scourer) at concentrations of 6.55 to 8.77 log CFU/cm 2 . CDPJ generated at 20 kV voltage and 1.5A current was used for decontamination, whereas a sample-to-electrode distance of 25 mm was maintained during the treatment. Following CDPJ treatment for 5 min, the viable counts of E. coli O157:H7, S. aureus, and P. putida were reduced by 4.30-4.56, 3.71-4.78, and 3.50-3.83 log, respectively. The rates of inactivation were varied among the pathogens, decreasing in the order E. coli O157:H7 > S. aureus > P. putida. Among tested kinetic models, namely log-linear, log-linear with shoulder, and Weibull models, the log-linear with shoulder model was found to be the most suitable model to explain the CDPJ inactivation of the pathogens. In conclusion, CDPJ can be used as a potential sanitizing agent for dishwashing tools.

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
    Dishwashing tools
    Bacteria
    Corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ)
    CDPJ treatment
    Modeling of inactivation
    Statistical analysis
Results and Discussion
    Pathogen inactivation
    Modeling of inactivation
Summary
References

• Minsoo Kim(Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Taehoon Lee(Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Pradeep Puligundla(Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Chulkyoon Mok(Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Gachon University) Corresponding author