Recently published scanning electron and transmission electron photomicrogr
aphs of cells of the bacterium Escherichia coli exposed to plasma glow disc
harges at atmospheric pressure indicate physical disruption of their outer
cell membranes, However, the mechanism of cell disruption was unclear, Here
, we propose and model an electrophysical mechanism for this phenomenon, na
mely, the electrostatic disruption of the cell membrane, which takes place
when it has acquired a sufficient electrostatic charge that the outward ele
ctrostatic stress exceeds its tensile strength. It also appears that surfac
e roughness or irregularity would render it more sensitive to electrostatic
disruption.