The effects of a flexible thin-layer dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system using a sealed
package on microbial inactivation and quality attributes of fresh pork and beef were tested. Following a
10-min treatment, the microbial-load reductions of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and
Salmonella Typhimurium were 2.04, 2.54, and 2.68 Log CFU/g in pork-butt samples and 1.90, 2.57, and
2.58 Log CFU/g in beef-loin samples, respectively. Colorimetric analysis showed that DBD-plasma
treatment did not significantly affect L* values (lightness) of pork and beef samples, but lowered a*
values (redness) significantly after 5- and 7.5-min exposures. The plasma treatment significantly influenced
lipid oxidation only after a 10-min exposure. The texture of both types of meat was unaffected by
plasma treatment. All sensory parameters of treated and non-treated samples were comparable except
for taste, which was negatively influenced by the plasma treatment (P < 0.05). This thin-layer DBDplasma
system can be applied to inactivate foodborne pathogens. The observed minor deterioration of
meat quality might be prevented by the use of hurdle technology.