1. Plasma Generated Hydrogen Peroxide: Effect of Media and Plasma Regimes
C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute, Drexel University, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Talaial Alina, Gregory Fridman, Vandana Miller, Abraham Lin
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Introduction
Results Conclusions
The Drexel University STAR Scholars Program and C. & J. Nyheim
Plasma Institute supported research. Randall Stoddart, Harper Pollio-
Barbee, and Hassaan Sheikh assisted in this research.
Plasma, ionized gas comprised of positive and negative particles, is being
explored for medical applications like cancer therapy [1]. Recently,
plasma activated liquid (PAL) was shown to have anti-cancer effects.
Plasma treatment of liquid generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen
species (RONS) that are responsible for cell death; the most effective is
hydrogen peroxide, 𝐻2 𝑂2 [2]. To further develop PAL as a potential cancer
therapeutic, the behavior of 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation by plasma was investigated
in various liquids and plasma regimes.
To test the effects of buffers on 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation, deionized (DI) water,
and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with and without serum was treated.
PBS with serum had lower 𝐻2 𝑂2concentrations as compared to PBS
without serum.
To test effects of uniformity of plasma on 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation, DI water was
exposed to different plasma energies under uniform and non-uniform
conditions. Results showed that there was no significant difference in
𝐻2 𝑂2 concentrations under the two conditions.
To compare effects of pulse parameters on 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation, DI water
was treated using microsecond and nanosecond pulsed dischargers. The
results established that the 𝐻2 𝑂2 concentrations were similar at the same
delivered energies..
Conclusions:
1) Buffers attenuate plasma capacity to generate ROS.
2) Energy is the most important factor for DBD plasma generated 𝐻2 𝑂2.
• Buffers attenuate plasma generation of 𝐻2 𝑂2 in liquids.
• Uniform and non-uniform plasma regimes have no impact on 𝐻2 𝑂2
produced in liquids.
• Microsecond and nanosecond pulsed discharges produced
comparable 𝐻2 𝑂2 in liquids.
• Energy is the most important determinant for generating ROS in liquid
by DBD plasma.
Methods
Cold atmospheric plasmas have been demonstrated to selectively
eradicate cancer cells in vitro and reduce tumor size in vivo [3]. Their
application modifies the cell cycle [4] of cancer cells and creates reactive
nitrogen and oxygen species (RONS) including oxygen/hydroxyl radicals
and nitric oxide [5].
These radicals in plasma activated media induce stimuli signaling “cell
surface receptors that trigger…intracellular molecules that initiate” cell
cycle arrest, DNA damage, and apoptosis [4,5].
Hydrogen peroxide 𝐻2 𝑂2 , a specie generated from plasma applied to
liquid media, is examined in this study because it is one of the most
important signaling molecules among the RONS [6].This study examines
the effects of buffers, uniformity of plasma, and pulse parameters on the
generation of 𝐻2 𝑂2 through the process detailed below. The results can
have implications for creating tailored PALs to destroy cancer cells.
Figure 1: Concentration of 𝐻2 𝑂2 is lower in the presence of buffers
References
Future Work
• Study the dependence on energy for the generation of ROS in liquid
by changing plasma parameters.
• Measure the production of 𝐻2 𝑂2 by plasma in more complex liquids.
• Evaluate the production of other ROS.
• Optimize plasma activated liquids (PAL) for medical applications.
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Effect of buffers on 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation
Effect of pulse parameters on 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation
0
50
100
150
200
5 30 75 150 300
H2O2Concentration(µM)
Frequency (Hz)
Uniform Treatment
Non-Uniform Treatment
Figure 2: Comparable 𝐻2 𝑂2 production under uniform and non-
uniform plasma regimes
Effect of plasma uniformity on 𝐻2 𝑂2 generation
Figure 3: Nanosecond-pulsed DBD
images obtained using ICCD camera at
uniform and non-uniform regimes [9]
Side View
Figure 5: Comparable 𝐻2 𝑂2 production in microsecond and
nanosecond treatments
0
20
40
60
80
0 50 100 300 700 1000
H2O2Concentration(µM)
Plasma (mJ)
Nanosecond Treatment
Microsecond Treatment
Figure 4:
Nanosecond-pulsed
and Microsecond-
pulsed DBDs [10]
Nanosecond
Microsecond
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
0 100 300 3000
H2O2Concentration(µM)
Plasma (mJ)
DI Water
PBS without
Serum
PBS with
Serum
Uniform (1mm)
Non-uniform (2mm)
Plasma treatment
Amplex Red Assay
24-well plate with
0.5 mL of liquid [7]
Incubate
30 min.
at room
temp.
Nanosecond pulsed
power supply
Spectrophotometry of
treated media [8]
Function
generator