Optimization of a low pressure plasma process for fabrication of a Drug Delivery System (DDS) for cancer treatment.

A low pressure ICP plasma setup was utilized to deposit thin organic barrier coatings on various substrates to fabricate DDS with encapsulated Carboplatin as a drug and Methylene Blue as a drug model. Choice of the substrates and optimal plasma parameters were discussed for the fabrication of DDS with required characteristics. Prepared thin films were analysed by FTIR, SEM, and the barrier properties were studied by measuring drug concentration released into the medium by UV-VIS and ICP-MS techniques.

Nonthermal atmospheric argon plasma jet effects on Escherichia coli biomacromolecules.

Nonthermal atmospheric plasma jet, a promising technology based on ionized gas at low temperatures, can be applied for disinfection of contaminated surfaces. In this study, Escherichia coli cells and their macromolecules were exposed to the nonthermal atmospheric argon plasma jet for different time durations. Total protein, genomic DNA, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of E. coli were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining; agarose gel electrophoresis; and measurement of absorbance at 534 nm, respectively. After exposure, the spectroscopic results of liquid samples indicated that the survival reduction of E. coli can reach to 100 % in an exposure time of 600 s. Moreover, inactivation zones of E. coli, DNA degradation, and MDA levels were significantly increased. Additionally, banding patterns of total protein were changed and amino acid concentrations increased following ninhydrin test. The experimental results suggest that the nonthermal plasma could serve as an effective instrument for both sterilizing E. coli and degrading macromolecules from the surface of the objects being sterilized.