Publications by Alexandra Waskow

Surface DBD degradation in humid air, and a hybrid surface-volume DBD for robust plasma operation at high humidity

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Fabio Avino, Lorenzo Ibba, Alexandra Waskow

Surface dielectric barrier discharge performance deteriorates in humid air, with permanent and/or reversible degradation of its components. Plasma operation in a humid environment is unavoidable when humid air or water-containing materials are treated. Exp ...

IOP Publishing Ltd2023

Catabolism of Glucosinolates into Nitriles Revealed by RNA Sequencing of Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings after Non-Thermal Plasma-Seed Treatment

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Alexandra Waskow

2022

Understanding the mechanisms of non-thermal plasma treatments on seeds

Alexandra Waskow

The motivation driving plasma-seed treatment research is the renewed importance of sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture. There is a constant interest in finding alternatives to minimize resource use and environmental degradation, while ensuring healthy se ...

EPFL2022

RNA Sequencing of Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings after Non-Thermal Plasma-Seed Treatment Reveals Upregulation in Plant Stress and Defense Pathways

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Alexandra Waskow

Not all agricultural practices are sustainable; however, non-thermal plasma treatment of seeds may be an eco-friendly alternative to improve macroscopic plant growth parameters. Despite the numerous successful results of plasma-seed treatments reported in ...

2022

Entering the plasma agriculture field: An attempt to standardize protocols for plasma treatment of seeds

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Fabio Avino, Alexandra Waskow

Plasma treatments are currently being assessed as a seed processing technology for agricultural purposes. There is sufficient information as a proof-of-concept, but a lack of standardization in the methodology prevents a convincing evaluation of plasma tre ...

2022

Mechanisms of Plasma-Seed Treatments as a Potential Seed Processing Technology

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Alexandra Waskow

Plasma treatments are currently being assessed as a seed processing technology for agricultural purposes where seeds are typically subjected to pre-sowing treatments to improve the likelihood of timely and uniform germination. The aim of this review is to ...

2021

Advantages and Limitations of Surface Analysis Techniques on Plasma-Treated Arabidopsis thaliana Seeds

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Alexandra Waskow

Surface characterization of plasma-treated seeds has made significant progress over the last decade. Most papers in the literature use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and contact angle goniometry to investigate surface modifications. However, very few p ...

2021

An In Situ FTIR Study of DBD Plasma Parameters for Accelerated Germination of Arabidopsis thaliana Seeds

Alan Howling, Ivo Furno, Lorenzo Ibba, Alexandra Waskow

Current agricultural practices are not sustainable; however, the non-thermal plasma treatment of seeds may be an eco-friendly alternative to alter macroscopic plant growth parameters. Despite numerous successful results of plasma-seed treatments reported i ...

2021

Low-energy electron beam has severe impact on seedling development compared to cold atmospheric pressure plasma

Alexandra Waskow

Sprouts are germinated seeds that are often consumed due to their high nutritional content and health benefits. However, the conditions for germination strongly support the proliferation of present bacteria, including foodborne pathogens. Since sprouts are ...

Nature Research2021

Characterization of Efficiency and Mechanisms of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Decontamination of Seeds for Sprout Production

Alexandra Waskow

The consumption of fresh fruit and vegetable products has strongly increased during the past few decades. However, inherent to all minimally processed products is the short shelf life, and the risk of foodborne diseases, which have been increasingly relate ...

Frontiers Media SA2018