CPC A23B 7/144 (2013.01) [A23L 3/001 (2013.01); A23L 3/003 (2013.01); A23L 3/015 (2013.01); A23L 3/34095 (2013.01); A61L 2/0094 (2013.01); A61L 2/14 (2013.01); H01J 37/32 (2013.01); A23V 2002/00 (2013.01); A61L 2202/122 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A method for disinfecting herbs, the method comprising:
loading the herbs into a perforated carrier in a sealable chamber fluidly associated with a vacuum pump, the perforated carrier being configured to carry the herbs and allow penetration of gas through the perforations in the carrier's walls and floor;
sealingly closing the chamber and evacuating the chamber to a pressure of about 1-100 mbar;
releasing a disinfecting gas into the chamber via at least one channel so as to increase the pressure in the chamber to about 10-500 mbar;
prior to releasing a disinfecting gas, generating plasma in the channel by applying a plasma-generating electromagnetic (EM) field, thereby rendering the inner surfaces of the channel walls hydrophilic and preventing or limiting vapor condensation on the channel's walls;
ventilating the chamber by air to reach an atmospheric pressure therein; and
opening the chamber and dislodging the herbs from the carrier.
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