Comparison of the Oxidizing Capacity of Nonthermal Plasma and Ionizing Radiation Using EPR Spectrometry

Oxidative processes during the nonthermal argon plasma treatment of crystalline sucrose samples have been studied for the first time. The goal of the work was to compare the oxidizing ability of nonthermal plasma and gamma-radiation toward sucrose using EPR spectrometry. An increase in the EPR signal intensity was detected with increasing plasma treatment time, indicating the presence of oxidative processes and the formation of free radicals. The signal intensity decreased over time on average by 9% on week 1, 13% on week 3, 15% on week 11, and 22% on week 22 relative to the untreated sample. Based on the data obtained, a comparative analysis was carried out on the amount of (carbon-centered) free radicals formed in sucrose during nonthermal plasma treatment and gamma-irradiation.