ε (eV)

states. In the Table 1.1 are presented the most commonly used chemisterilants
[3,4,42,43]. Theireffectiveness depends essentially on the concentration of the
reactive agent. Usually, this is interfering with microorganisms proteins or lipids
creating also local membrane perforations. In the same time, a powerful damag-
ing action is directed to the DNA’s structure through degradative and oxidative
processes. Altogether these causes lead to the cell’s death [3].
1.2.4 Sterilization by particle bombardment
Sterilization by particle bombardment method usually involves beams of neu-
trals or charged species. The most known killing agent is the beam of electrons
having energies ranging from 3 MeV to 12 MeV [44-47]. This technology is not
entirely new. Pioneering work in electron beam (E-beam) processing has began in
the 1930 0 s. E-beam sterilization method was commercialized in the 1950 0 s. The
procedure is similar to gamma rays irradiation in that it alters various chemical
and molecular bonds of the contaminants through particles impact with objects
to be sterilized [39-41, 44-46].
1.2.5 Sterilization by plasma
Theuseofplasmasoffers an original and more practical approach for steriliza-
tion because of their properties [15-18]. The method basically consists in exposing
the contaminated objects or surfaces to the plasma action. They are rich produc-
9