WO2016140447A1

WO2016140447A1 - Plasma treatment method for processed meat product and plasma treatment apparatus for processed meat product

Info

Publication number: WO2016140447A1
Application number: PCT/KR2016/001469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Youbong LIM; Sanghoo PARK; Holak KIM; Haein YONG; Sunhyo KIM; Hyunjung Lee
Original assignee: Plasmapp Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-03-03
Filing date: 2016-02-15
Publication date: 2016-09-09

Abstract

Provided are a plasma treatment apparatus for a meat product and a plasma treatment method for a meat product. The plasma treatment apparatus for a meat product according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a main chamber adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space; a plasma chamber connected to the main chamber; a plasma generator disposed inside the plasma chamber and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber; and an activated gas circulator adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and is cured or sterilized by the activated gas.

Description

PLASMA TREATMENT METHOD FOR PROCESSED MEAT PRODUCT AND PLASMA TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR PROCESSED MEAT PRODUCT

The present disclosure relates to a plasma treatment method and a plasma treatment apparatus for generating a nitrite gas (NO₂) using plasma and directly exposing the NO₂ gas to meat products. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to a plasma treatment method and a plasma treatment apparatus for generating an NO₂ gas through plasma discharge of nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) in air during a producing process (e.g., grinding, mixing, emulsion, etc.) and directly sterilizing or curing meat products to produce meat products with no use of synthetic sodium nitrite.

There is an increasing demand for foods with guaranteed safety, high nutrition, and sensory properties. One of current consumption trends of consumers is naturalism. Accordingly, use of chemically synthetic food additive is decreasing in food processing industry. Various studies have been made to develop natural additives which are capable of replacing the chemically synthetic food additives.

In a processed meat food industry, sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) for use in a curing process is an essential additive due to its various activations caused by supply of nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) in a cured processed meat product such as sausage, ham, and bacon. The nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) in the cured processed meat product may be used as a primary preservative to suppress proliferation of aerotropic and anaerobic microbes, particularly inactivate clostridium botulinum, and suppress proliferation of bacillus cereus, staphylococcus aureus, and clostridium perfringens that are not inactivated even by a long-term heat treatment and cause production of toxic materials and decomposition. The nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) may also be used as an antioxidant to suppress fat rancidity, which occurs during production of a cured processed meat product, to reduce generation of rancid flavor. Myoglobin is combined with nitrogen monoxide such that nitrosylmyoglobin is produced to be involved in revealing a cured meat color. The nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) are involved in revealing unique and charming flavor of a cured meat product according to generation of a nitrogen-containing nonvolatile element. Accordingly, nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) are essential in producing cured meat products and are being used around the world.

However, in case of chemically synthetic nitrite (NaNO₂ or KNO₂) that is generally used to supply nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-), the content of sodium in a cured meat product increases according to use of the synthetic nitrite and the synthetic nitrite is a chemically synthetic additive. For this reason, users are increasingly avoiding cured processed meat products in which nitrite is used. Accordingly, there is a pressing need for development of a natural additive which is capable of replacing synthetic nitrite to meet a consumer demand and accomplish sustainable growth in processed meat industry.

In a currently used method for producing natural cured meat products without use of chemically synthetic nitrite, nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) is used which is obtained by reducing nitric acid ions (NO₃ ^-) through inoculation of a starter to a plant extract containing a nitrate. Currently, this method is being used not only in Korea but also in other countries. In particular, celery-extract-added products with no use of synthetic additive are being released. Consumer's preference for these products is also increasing. However, the costs are added in an extraction process for producing a nitrate-containing natural plant extract and a starter and reduction process for reducing the natural plant extract to nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-). Thus, a rise in producing cost of meat products with a natural plant extract added is inevitable. Moreover, since a production process and a reduction technique of a natural plant extract that satisfies the content of nitrite ions required during production of cured meat products are not secured yet in Korea, most plant extracts or starters used in Korea depend upon import. Accordingly, a domestic technique capable of reducing the producing cost of cured meat products and effectively replacing nitrite needs to be developed to achieve growth in a domestic processed meat product industry and secure economic feasibility.

A method for producing meat products with fixed red color and having flavors with no use of synthetic sodium nitrite by using nitrite-containing vegetable powder and reducing bacteria is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 1,229,379. According to a method for producing meat products disclosed in Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0136051, dry ice is added during meat processing such that fat oxidation is suppressed without addition of nitrate or nitrite to keep freshness. However, a process of directly processing meat products using plasma replacing synthetic nitrite and a plasma treatment apparatus are not disclosed in the above Korean Patents.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a plasma curing method and a plasma curing apparatus for producing a meat product by absorbing nitrite ions to the meat product without adding synthetic sodium nitrite to exhibit a meat color fixation effect and a superior flavor.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a sterilization process of a meat product using a nitrite gas (nitrogen dioxide gas).

A plasma treatment apparatus for a meat product according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a main chamber adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space; a plasma chamber connected to the main chamber; a plasma generator disposed inside the plasma chamber and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber; and an activated gas circulator adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber. The meat product may be directly exposed to the activated gas and is processed by the activated gas.

In an example embodiment, the main chamber may include a rotation shaft and a wing disposed at the rotation shaft to mix the meat product.

In an example embodiment, the rotation shaft may be in the form of a pipe having a through-hole, the rotation shaft may include a plurality of nozzles connected to the through-hole, and the activated gas circulator may provide the activated gas to the rotation shaft.

In an example embodiment, the active gas circulator may include: an ozone filter connected to the main chamber to remove ozone; a gas detector connected to the back end of the ozone filter to measure concentration of a nitrite gas; and a compressor connected to the back end of the gas detector. The compressor may provide the activated gas into the plasma chamber.

In an example embodiment, the plasma generator may include a plurality of dielectric barrier discharge modules spaced apart from each other to extend parallel to each other.

In an example embodiment, each of the dielectric barrier discharge modules may include: a first dielectric barrier discharge plate extending in a first direction on an arrangement defined by the first direction and a second direction; a second dielectric barrier discharge plate spaced in a third direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane to extend in the first direction; and a pair of spacers disposed at opposite ends of the second dielectric barrier discharge plate to be maintained at a fixed distance. First plasma electrodes having the same shape may be disposed on face-to-face surfaces of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate, respectively. Second plasma electrodes having the same shape may be disposed on back-to-back surfaces of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate, respectively. The first plasma electrode and the second plasma electrode may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction.

In an example embodiment, the plasma generator may include: a conductive support block supporting the spacer and extending in the third direction; a pair of side insulating plates disposed at the outermost portion of the plurality of dielectric barrier discharge modules and extending in the first direction; and an insulating cover disposed to cover the conductive support block and extending in the third direction.

In an example embodiment, the plasma generator may include: a plurality of first dielectric barrier discharge rods extending in a first direction, arranged at regular intervals, and made of a metal material coated with an insulator; a plurality of second dielectric barrier discharge rods disposed between a pair of adjacent first dielectric barrier rods and extending in the first direction; a left conductive support block fixing one end of the first dielectric barrier discharge rods, disposed at the left of the first dielectric barrier discharge rod, and extending in a third direction; and a right conductive support block fixing one end of the second dielectric barrier discharge rods, disposed at the left of the second dielectric barrier discharge rod, and extending in the third direction.

In an example embodiment, the plasma generator may further include: a side insulating plate disposed at the outermost portion of the first dielectric barrier discharge rods; a left insulating cover disposed to cover the left conductive support block; and a right insulating cover disposed to cover the right conductive support block.

In an example embodiment, the plasma chamber and the main chamber may be spatially spaced apart from each other, and the plasma generator may generate remote plasma and provide the activated gas into the main chamber.

In an example embodiment, the main chamber may further include transfer means for transferring the meat product.

In an example embodiment, the plasma treatment apparatus may further include: a gas distributor disposed inside the plasma chamber and adapted to distribute a provided gas and provide the distributed gas to the plasma generator. The gas distributor may include gas distribution plates of a multi-layer structure spaced apart from each other. The gas distributor may have a plurality of through-holes and provide the activated gas to the plasma generator through the through-holes.

In an example embodiment, the main chamber may be rotated to mix and massage the meat product.

In an example embodiment, the main chamber may include a scoop mounted on an inner sidewall of the main chamber, and the meat product may be lifted and falls by rotation of the main chamber to be mixed and massaged.

A method for producing meat products according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure include: performing atmospheric plasma discharge using a nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas; and directly providing the activated gas to a meat product. The meat product directly exposed to the nitrogen oxide gas may be cured or sterilized to generate nitrite ions.

In an example embodiment, directly providing the activated gas to the meat product may be performed during a mixing process of the meat product.

In an example embodiment, a plasma chamber adapted to perform the atmospheric plasma discharge and a main chamber adapted to store the meat product may be manufactured in one body.

In an example embodiment, a plasma chamber adapted to perform the atmospheric plasma discharge and a main chamber adapted to store the meat product may be spatially separated from each other. The plasma chamber may provide the activated gas generated through the atmospheric plasma discharge into the main chamber.

In an example embodiment, the method may further include receiving the activated gas exposed to the meat product to remove an ozone gas from the activated gas and re-perform the atmospheric plasma discharge.

In an example embodiment, the atmospheric plasma discharge may be atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge. Power density of the dielectric barrier discharge may be 10 W/cm2 or higher to suppress ozone generation, and a frequency of the dielectric barrier discharge may be 30 KHz and 50 KHz to suppress ozone generation.

In an example embodiment, directly providing the activated gas to the meat product may be performed in a mixer adapted to mix the meat product or a tumbler.

A meat product according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be manufactured by a method for producing meat products set forth any one of claims 15 to 21.

As described above, a meat product produced by a method according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure may be cured without addition of synthetic sodium nitrite. Since there is no meaningful difference in performance and sensory evaluation between the meat product with no synthetic sodium nitrite and a conventional meat product with added synthetic sodium nitrite, conventional chemically synthetic sodium nitrite may be replaced with a curing process according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, a natural additive used in a product with no sodium nitrite may be replaced to reduce the cost and enhance product competitiveness.

The present disclosure will become more apparent in view of the attached drawings and accompanying detailed description. The embodiments depicted therein are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram of a meat product plasma treatment apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the meat product plasma treatment apparatus in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cutaway perspective view of the meat product plasma treatment apparatus in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a perspective view of a plasma generator in the meat product plasma treatment apparatus in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1E is a perspective view of a plasma generator and a gas distributor in the meat product plasma treatment apparatus in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1F is an exploded perspective view of the plasma generator in the meat product plasma treatment apparatus in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1G is a circuit diagram illustrating an electrical connection relationship of the plasma generator in the meat product plasma treatment apparatus in FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are cross-sectional views taken along lines I-I', II-II', and III-III' in FIG. 1F, respectively.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a top plan view, a rear view, and a cross-sectional view of a dielectric barrier discharge plate, respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective view of a plasma generator according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a meat product plasma treatment apparatus according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a meat product plasma treatment apparatus according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a meat product plasma treatment apparatus according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams of meat product plasma treatment apparatuses according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively.

In recent years, characteristics of atmospheric pressure plasma may significantly vary depending on various electrode structures, driving frequencies, and conditions. Since the atmospheric plasma has various advantages such as high-temperature and low-temperature treatments, high density of reactive species, and short processing time, various studies have been made on the atmospheric plasma. The atmospheric plasma may be used in various applications. In particular, as dry treatment using species having strong oxidizing power and high reactivity may be made possible, the atmospheric pressure plasma have been vigorously studies in biomedical and food fields such as sterilization of foods, removal of bio films, and removal of organic films.

Conventionally, plasma is used in post-processes such as waste water disposal, decrease in COD and BOD, decolorization, and deodorization. Unlike this, applications using plasma-treated distilled water or solution in pre-processes have been introduced in recent years. The plasma-treated distilled water is called plasma-treated water, and there was released the result that the plasma-treated water has sterilizing power which is strong enough to be used as sterilized water and to replace ozone water.

So-called 'plasma-treated water' may be produced by directly or indirectly exposing atmospheric pressure plasma to distilled water. The atmospheric pressure plasma includes discharge gases such as helium, argon, and nitrogen, but chemical species contained in the plasma-treated water is decided according to the discharge gases. For example, ozone or oxygen reactive species with strong sterilizing power may be generated using oxygen or a mixed gas of oxygen and another gas as a discharge gas.

Moreover, since chemical species dissolved in plasma-treated water vary depending on leaving time, they need to be understood. Synthetic nitrite, which is necessary to produce meat products, may be replaced with plasma-treated water. In this case, nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) and nitrate ions (NO₃ ^-) contained in the plasma-treated water are importantly used. However, since a concentration of the nitrite ions decreases according to leaving time, it is difficult to industrially use the plasma-treated water.

When meats are treated using the nitrite ions (NO₂ ^-) and the nitrate ions (NO₃ ^-) contained in the plasma-treated water, a new food process is requested for permission of Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The permission depending on introduction of the new food process requires time and effort. It is difficult to actually apply a curing process using the plasma-treated water.

Accordingly, there is a need for a new curing process to replace plasma-treated water containing nitrite ions or conventional synthetic sodium nitrite.

When plasma is generate at atmospheric pressure using an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas, an nitrogen oxide gas and an ozone gas are generated. The ozone gas is not necessary in a curing process. There is a need for a plasma apparatus for suppressing generation of the ozone gas or eliminating a generated ozone gas.

In a plasma treatment method according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a nitrogen oxide gas generated by atmospheric plasma may be directly exposed to a meat product. Even in this case, stable generation of nitrite ion (NO₂ ^-) and nitrate ion (NO₃ ^-) in the meat product was found. When a frequency of 30 KHz or more and power of predetermined power density or higher are supplied, generation of an ozone gas may be suppressed at dielectric barrier discharge. In addition, an ozone gas filter and a gas circulation structure may be adapted to eliminate the generated ozone gas and keep a nitrite gas of a predetermined concentration or higher. Atmospheric plasma or atmospheric dielectric discharge includes a low-vacuum state of 70 Torr and less than atmospheric pressure. The nitrite gas (nitrogen dioxide gas) may be used in a sterilization process of meat products.

The present disclosure is aimed to satisfy the above-mentioned needs. An object of the present disclosure is to generate nitrite ions through a plasma curing treatment in a meat product without adding synthetic nitrite. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a meat product sterilization process using a nitrite gas (nitrogen dioxide gas).

In a plasma curing treatment, a nitrogen oxide gas may be generated using dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and the nitrogen oxide gas may be directly exposed to the meat product to generate nitrite ions in the meat product. Accordingly, the nitrite ions exhibit a meat color fixation effect and a flavor to produce high-preference meat products. In addition, the nitrogen oxide gas may sterilize the meat products.

Historically, curing means that salt is added to preserve meats. However, the meaning of curing changes with the passage of time. The curing used to be understood to add salt, sugar, nitrate or nitrite to meats. In recent years, the curing means that not only salt, sugar, nitrate or nitrite but also various seasonings, spices, ascorbic acid, phosphate, binders, fillers, and various taste enhancers are added to meats. In a plasma curing treatment according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, nitrite ions are generated in a meat product.

A fine chopping process is a process in which a raw meat is uniformly chopped to be easily mixed. A mixing process is a process in which a finely chopped meat is uniformly mixed with minor ingredients such as spice and seasoning.

Conventionally, raw materials added in the step of curing a meat product to produce the meat product employ nitrite or nitrate as a preservative. A meat product is mixed using a mixer, and the mixer conventionally stirs the meat product using a wing disposed at a shaft of the mixer. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, a plasma generator is mounted on a conventional mixer. Thus, a plasma treatment process of the plasma generator may generate nitrite ion (NO₂ ^-) and nitrate ions (NO₃ ^-) simultaneously with stirring and replace a synthetic nitrite adding process. In addition, the plasma treatment process may replace a sterilization process of meat products.

According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, during a curing step of a meat product, synthetic nitrite is not added and the meat product is cured using a nitrogen oxide gas generated by plasma using a nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas. A mixing process using the mixer may be performed at the same time when a plasma curing process is performed. Water, a taste enhancer or the like is added during the mixing process.

When air in atmosphere is used as a discharge gas or a nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas is used in discharge, plasma generates nitrogen oxide and ozone. The nitrogen oxide generated from the plasma and related reactive species dissolved in a stirred meat product including water to generate hydroxyl (OH) radicals, ozone, nitrite (KNO₂ or KNO₃), and nitrate (HNO₂ or HNO₃). Nitrous acid (HNO₂) and nitric acid (HNO₃) are generated through reaction formulas below. In a mixer performing a mixing process, a plasma curing process may be performed simultaneously with the mixing process such that the nitrogen oxide is efficiently absorbed to the meat product.

[Reaction Formula 1]

2NO(g) + O₂(g) 2NO₂(g)

[Reaction Formula 2]

NO + NO₂ + H ₂0 2NO₂ ^- + 2H⁺

[Reaction Formula 3]

2NO₂ + H₂O NO₂ ^- + NO₃ ^- + 2H⁺

[Reaction Formula 4]

3NO₂(g) + H₂0(l) 2HNO₃(aq) + NO(g)

[Reaction Formula 5]

4NO₂(g) + O₂(g)_H2O(l) 4HNO₃(aq)

[Reaction Formula 6]

NO + OH + M HNO₂ + M

[Reaction Formula 7]

NO₂ + OH + M HNO₃ + M

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some example embodiments are shown. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of example embodiments of inventive concepts to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference characters and/or numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and thus their description may be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a meat product plasma treatment apparatus 100 includes a main chamber 180, a plasma chamber 150, a plasma generator 120, and an activated gas circulator 160. The main chamber 180 stores a meat product and provides a sealed space. The plasma chamber 150 is connected to the main chamber 180. The plasma generator 120 is disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and generates an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas (NO_x) using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provides the activated gas into the main chamber 180. The activated gas circulator 160 receives the activated gas inside the main chamber 180 and re-provides the activated gas into the plasma chamber 150. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and cured or sterilized by the activated gas. Thus, the meat product may generate nitrite ions.

The plasma chamber 150 may be an airtight container to prevent the activated gas from leaking to the outside. The plasma chamber 150 may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped and be made of a metal material. The plasma chamber 150 may include a body chamber 151 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a plasma chamber lid 152 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A gas distributor 140 and the plasma generator 120 may be disposed inside the plasma chamber 150. The plasma chamber 150 may receive air in atmosphere, an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas or an activated gas through the plasma chamber lid 152.

The plasma generator 120 may receive the nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas and perform atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas. The nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas may include a nitrite gas (NO₂) gas. The nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas may be dissolved in moisture of the meat product to generate nitrite ions and nitrate ions. The plasma generator 120 may be designed to be discharged while a gas passes through the plasma generator 120. The activated gas may be circulated such that a concentration of the nitrous acid (NO₂) gas is maintained at a predetermined value or more and an ozone gas is removed. Dielectric barrier discharge may decrease a generation rate of ozone and increase a generation rate of the nitrous acid gas. The dielectric barrier discharge provides higher space occupancy and is more economical and structurally simpler than microwave plasma.

The main chamber 180 stores a meat product and provides a sealed space. The main chamber 180 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the plasma chamber 150 may be mounted on the main chamber lid 182. A handle portion 183 may be disposed at the main chamber lid 182. The main chamber lid 182 and the plasma chamber 150 may be separate from the main chamber 180 by using the handle portion 183.

The meat product may be sausage, ham, bacon or can ham. A raw material of the meat product may be pork, beef, chicken, duck meat, mutton, goat meat, turkey meat, horsemeat or dog meat. The meat product may be mixed by the wing 187 that rotates within the main chamber 180.

The main chamber 180 may be a mixer chamber for mixing the meat product. The main chamber 180 may include a rotation shaft 186 and the wing 187 disposed at the rotation shaft 186. The rotation shaft 187 may be rotated by a driving motor 188. As the rotation shaft 186 is rotated, the wing 187 disposed at the rotation shaft 186 may mix a finely chopped meat product.

For example, in the mixer which mixes a meat product, a cover of the mixer is eliminated and the plasma chamber 150 may be mounted. Thus, a mixing process and a plasma curing process or a plasma sterilization process may be performed at the same time.

The activated gas circulator 160 may receive the activated gas provided from the main chamber 180 and provide the activated gas to the plasma chamber 150 as an input gas.

The activated gas circulator 160 may maintain a concentration of ozone in the main chamber 180 at a predetermined value or less and maintain a concentration of the nitrous acid gas at a predetermined value or more. The activated gas circulator 160 may include an ozone filter 161 to decrease the concentration of the ozone. The ozone filter 161 may decompose the ozone into oxygen using light or a catalyst.

The activated gas circulator 160 may include the ozone filter 161 connected to the main chamber 150 to remove ozone, a gas detector 164 connected to the back end of the ozone filter 161 to measure a concentration of a nitrous acid gas, and a compressor 163 connected to the back end of the gas detector 164. The compressor 163 may re-provide the activated gas to the gas distributor 140 or the plasma chamber 150.

The activated gas circulator 160 may artificially circulate an activated gas generated by the plasma generator 120 to improve an absorptivity of the activated gas. To achieve this, the activated gas circulator 160 may draw out the activated gas from the main chamber 180 through a pipe connected to the main chamber 180 and re-provide the gas to the gas distributor 140. The activated gas circulator 160 may adjust a partial pressure of the ozone using the ozone filter 161 to increase the concentration of the nitrous acid gas. Thus, the absorptivity of the nitrous acid gas in the meat product may increase. As a result, the concentration of the nitrous acid gas in the nitrous acid gas in the meat product may also increase.

To maintain a system after a process of the activated gas circulator 160 is performed, the activated gas circulator 160 may provide an environment to open the main chamber 150 after partial pressure of an inner toxic gas is sufficiently reduced using the ozone filter 161 and an NO_x filter before the main chamber 180 is opened.

The gas distributor 140 may include a square-shaped punching plate having a double-layer structure. The gas distributor 140 may include a first gas distribution plate 144 and a second gas distribution plate 142 which are sequentially stacked. A hole size of the second distribution plate 142 may be greater than that of the first gas distribution plate 144. The activated gas provided through the gas circulator 160 may be provided to a gas inlet 153 of the plasma chamber 150. The gas provided to the gas inlet 153 may be spatially and uniformly distributed through the second gas distribution plate 142 and the first gad distribution plate 144.

The gas distributor 140 may be aligned with the plasma generator 120 to be disposed on the plasma generator 120. The gas distributor 140 may uniformly distribute an activated gas or a provided gas to generate spatially uniform plasma. The gas distributor 140 may include at least two punching plate layers and uniformly provide a gas to the plasma generator 120. The gas distributor 140 may be made of a dielectric material, a ceramic material or a metal material. Holes of the punching plate may be arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The first gas distribution plate 144 and the second gas distribution plate 142 may be spaced apart from each other.

A controller 172 may receive concentration information of the activated gas from an activated gas monitoring part 170 to control the plasma generator 120 and the activated gas circulator 160 such that the concentration of the activated gas is constantly maintained.

The gas distributor 140 may include

gas distribution plates

142 and 144 spaced apart from each other. The

gas distribution plates

142 and 144 may have a plurality of through-holes and provide the activated gas and/or an external gas to the plasma generator 120 via the through-holes.

The plasma generator 120 may include a plurality of dielectric barrier discharge modules 111 spaced apart from each other to expend parallel to each other. The plasma generator 120 may generate uniform plasma using a circulated activated gas.

The dielectric barrier discharge module 111 includes a first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a extending in a first direction (x-axis direction) on an arrangement plane defined by the first direction (x-axis direction) and a second direction (y-axis direction), a second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b spaced in a third direction (z-axis direction) perpendicular to the arrangement plane to extend in the first direction (x-axis direction), and a pair of spacers 122 disposed at opposite ends of the second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b to be maintained at a fixed distance.

First plasma electrode

112a and 112b having the same shape are disposed on face-to-face surfaces of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b, respectively. Second plasma electrodes 114 having the same shape may be disposed on back-to-back surfaces of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b, respectively. The

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b and the second plasma electrode 114 may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction (y-axis direction). Accordingly, the first plasma electrode and the second plasma electrode disposed on the opposite surfaces of the dielectric barrier discharge plate may be spaced apart from each other in the y-axis direction to extend in the x-axis direction parallel to each other.

The first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a may be in the form of a dielectric plate extending in the first direction and have one surface on which the pair of

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b are spaced apart from each other in the second direction and the other surface on which the second plasma electrode 114 is disposed. The first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a may include

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b and second plasma electrode 114 that are coated on opposite surfaces of an alumina substrate, respectively.

The second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b may have the same shape as the first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a. The pair of

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b may be disposed to face each other. The first and second dielectric

barrier discharge plates

110a and 110b are disposed on an xy plane to be spaced apart from each other in a z-axis direction. Accordingly, the activated gas may pass through a space between the first and second dielectric

barrier discharge plates

110a and 110b.

The plasma generator 120 may have a plurality of slit structures or comb structures to provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180.

The

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b and the second plasma electrode 114 may be recoated with silver (Ag) or gold (Au) on a dielectric substrate 113 after being coated with chrome (Cr). The dielectric barrier discharge plate may be formed by depositing a metal thin film on opposite surfaces of the dielectric substrate that is in the form of a thin plate of 2 mm or less. The plasma electrode may be deposited with two or more metal materials. The plasma electrode may be formed by depositing chrome (Cr) to enhance contact force with a dielectric material and re-depositing silver/gold, where oxidation does not occur often, thereon. The plasma electrode may be in the form of a string having width of 10 mm or less. String patterns of the opposite surfaces may be alternately disposed. The first plasma electrode and the second plasma electrode may be applied with different voltages at opposite ends, respectively.

The

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b may be all connected in parallel to be connected to one terminal of an AC power supply. The second plasma electrode 114 may be all connected in parallel to be connected to the other terminal of the AC power supply.

A spacer 122 may include a right spacer and a left spacer. The

first plasma spacers

112a and 112b may include two strings extending parallel to each other in the first direction and may start from the left end and stop before reaching the right end. Accordingly, the left spacer is electrically connected to the first plasma electrode the

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b and the right spacer may not be electrically connected to the

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b.

The second plasma electrode 114 may start from the left end and stop before reaching the left end. Accordingly, the right spacer may be connected to the second plasma electrode 114 through an auxiliary connection electrode 117 and be insulated from the

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b.

The spacer 122 may be made of a conductive material and space and fix the first dielectric barrier discharge plate 110a and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate 110b apart from each other in the z-axis direction. The spacer 122 may be disposed at opposite ends of the dielectric barrier discharge plate to form a vacant space between the dielectric barrier discharge plates. The spacer 122 may come in contact with the

first plasma electrodes

112a and 112b to electrically connect face-to-face electrodes to each other in parallel. In addition, the spacer 122 may electrically connect back-to-back second plasma electrodes through the auxiliary connection electrode 117 and coupling means.

The plasma generator 120 may include a conductive support block 123 supporting the spacer 122 and extending in the third direction, a pair of side insulating plate 128 disposed at the outermost portion of a plurality of dielectric discharge modules, an insulating cover 127 disposed to cover the conductive support block 123 and extending in the third direction.

The conductive support block 123 may include left conductive support blocks and right conductive support blocks. The left spacers may be fixed while being electrically connected to the left conductive support blocks. The right spacers may be fixed while being electrically connected to the right conductive support blocks. The conductive support block 123 may be in the form of a plate extending in the third direction. The left spacers may be coupled with the left conductive support block through coupling means such as a bolt.

An electrode connection rod 121 may be electrically connected to the conductive support block 123 and the AC power supply 118. The electrode connection rod 121 may extend from the conductive support block 123 in the z-axis direction.

The insulating cover 127 may be disposed to cover the conductive support block 123. The insulating cover 127 may be in the form of a plate extending in the z-axis direction. The insulating cover 127 may include a recessed portion for conductive support block coupling. The recessed portion is disposed on an inner side surface and extends in the z-axis direction. The conductive support block 123 may be inserted into the recessed portion to suppress parasitic discharge and provide electrical stability. The insulating cover 127 may be made of an alumina material or a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTEF) material.

The side insulating plate 128 may be disposed at the outermost portion of the plurality of dielectric barrier discharge modules to extend in the first direction. The side insulating plate 128 may extend in the first direction on an xz plane. The side insulating plate 128 may be made of an alumina material or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTEF) material. The side insulating plate 128 may enhance electrical stability. The side insulating plate 128 may be coupled with the conductive support block 123. The side insulating plate 128 may suppress parasitic discharge and provide electrical stability.

The AC power supply 118 may apply a high voltage of 3 kV or more of 20 KHz to 50 KHz between the first plasma electrode and the second plasma electrode through the electrode connection rod 121. Preferably, a frequency of the AC power supply 118 may be between 30 KHz and 50 KHz to suppress generation of ozone. Power density of the first plasma electrode and the second plasma electrode may be 10 W/cm² or higher to suppress generation of ozone.

The electrode connection rod 121 may be disposed to extend to the outside through a side surface of the plasma chamber 150. The electrode connection rod 121 may include an insulating jacket for insulation.

The electrode connection rod 121 may extend to the outside of the plasma chamber through a chamber flange 155 mounted on a side surface of the plasma chamber 150. The electrode connection rod 121 may be fixed by a dummy flange 154 made of an insulator for sealing the electrode connection rod 121. The chamber flange 155 and the dummy flange 154 may be fixed to each other through a bolt.

The activated gas monitoring part 170 may measure concentration of a nitrogen oxide gas of the main chamber 180. For example, the activated gas monitoring part 170 may measure concentration of a nitrous acid gas in real time by using absorption spectrum of the nitrous acid gas.

A method for producing meat products according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure includes performing plasma discharge using a nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas to generate an activated gas containing nitrogen oxide and directly providing the activated gas to a meat product. The meat product directly exposed to the nitrogen oxide generates nitrite ions to perform a curing process. The meat product directly exposed to the nitrogen oxide is sterilized.

Providing the activated gas to the meat product may be performed during a mixing process of the meat product. For example, Providing the activated gas to the meat product and the mixing process may be performed at the same time. To achieve this, a plasma chamber adapted to perform the plasma discharge and a main chamber adapted to store the meat product may be manufactured in one body.

The method may further include an activated gas circulation step in which the activated gas exposed to the meat product is received to remove ozone from the activated gas and plasma discharge is re-performed. Thus, the concentration of the activated gas may be maintained at a predetermined value or greater and the ozone may be removed.

The plasma discharge may be atmospheric dielectric barrier, power density of the dielectric barrier discharge may be 10 W/cm² or higher to suppress generation of ozone, and a frequency of the dielectric barrier discharge may be 30 KHz or more to suppress generation of ozone.

According to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure, a plasma chamber adapted to perform the plasma discharge and a main chamber adapted to store the meat product may be spatially separated from each other. The plasma chamber may provide the activated gas generated through the atmospheric plasma discharge into the main chamber. For example, the plasma chamber may remotely generated an activated gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber or a mixer chamber through a pipe.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a plasma generator 220 includes a plurality of first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a extending in a first direction, arranged at regular intervals, and made of a metal material coated with an insulator, a plurality of second dielectric barrier discharge rods 212b disposed between a pair of adjacent first dielectric barrier rods 212a and extending in the first direction, a left conductive support block 223a fixing one end of the first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a, disposed at the left of the first dielectric barrier discharge rod 212a, and extending in a third direction, and a right conductive support block 223b fixing one end of the second dielectric barrier discharge rods 212b, disposed at the left of the second dielectric barrier discharge rod 212b, and extending in the third direction.

The plasma generator 220 may be integrated into or mounted on a plasma treatment apparatus.

The plasma treatment apparatus may include a plasma chamber 150 providing a sealed space to store externally provided oxygen and nitrogen gases, a plasma generator 220 disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and generating an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas by using plasma, and an activated gas circulator 160 receiving the activated gas inside the plasma chamber 150 to remove and circulate ozone. The activated gas circulator 160 may remove and circulate ozone through an ozone filter.

The first dielectric discharge rods 212a may extend parallel to each other in a first direction, and their one end may be fixed to the left conductive support block 223a through coupling means. Each of the first dielectric barrier rods 212a may be in the form of a rod made of an aluminum material and have a surface coated with aluminum oxide. The left conductive support block 223a may apply the same voltage to the first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a.

The second dielectric barrier rods 212b may extend parallel to each other in the first direction, and their one end may be fixed to the right conductive support block 223b through coupling means. Each of the second dielectric barrier rods 212b may be in the form of a rod made of an aluminum material and have a surface coated with aluminum oxide. The right conductive support block 223b may apply the same voltage to the second dielectric barrier discharge rods 212b. The second dielectric barrier discharge rods 212b may be disposed between adjacent first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a.

The left conductive support block 223a may be in the form of a plate extending in the third direction. The left conductive support block 223a may support the first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a and apply a voltage to the first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a.

The right conductive support block 223b may be disposed parallel to the left conductive support block 223a and be in the form of a plate. The right conductive support block 223b may support the second dielectric barrier discharge rods 212b and apply a voltage to the second dielectric barrier discharge rods 212b.

The side insulating plate 228 may be disposed at the outermost portion in the third direction of the first dielectric barrier discharge rods 212a. The side insulating plate 228 may suppress parasitic discharge and maintain discharge stability. The side insulating plate 228 may extend in the first direction and be in the form of a plate made of a ceramic material or a PTFE material.

A left insulating cover 227a may be disposed to cover the left conductive support block 223a. The left insulating cover 227a may be in the form of a plate extending in the third direction. The insulating cover 227a may include a recessed portion into which the left conductive support block 223a may be inserted and be disposed on an inner side surface of the left insulating cover 227a.

A right insulating cover 227b may be disposed to cover the right conductive support block 223b. The right insulating cover 227b may be in the form of a plate extending in the third direction. The insulating cover 227b may include a recessed portion into which the right conductive support block 223b may be inserted and be disposed on an inner side surface of the right insulating cover 227b.

An electrode connection rod 221 may be coupled with the left conductive support block 223a and the right conductive support block 223b to extend in the third direction, respectively and be connected to an AC power supply 118. Thus, an AC voltage may be applied between the first dielectric barrier discharge rod 212a and the second dielectric barrier discharge rod 212b.

Plasma may be generated while an activated gas passes through a space between the first dielectric barrier discharge rod 212a and the second dielectric barrier discharge rod 212b.

Referring to FIG. 5, a plasma treatment apparatus 100a for a meat product includes a main chamber 180 adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space, a plasma chamber 150 connected to the main chamber 180, a plasma generator 120 disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180, and an activated gas circulator 160 adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber 180 and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber 120. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and cured or sterilized by the activated gas.

The activated gas circulator 160 may circulate the activated gas generated by the plasma generator 120. To achieve this, the activated gas circulator 160 may pull out the activated gas from the main chamber 180 through a pipe connected to the main chamber 180 and provide the activated gas to a gas distributor 140 and a rotation shaft 186. Flow rates of the gas distributor 140 and the rotation shaft 186 may be controlled by a flow rate controller. The activated gas circulator 160 may adjust a partial pressure of ozone using an ozone filter 161 to increase concentration of a nitrogen oxide gas.

An output of the activated gas circulator 160 may provide the activated gas to the plasma chamber 150 (or the gas distributor 140) and the rotation shaft 186.

The main chamber 180 may include the rotation shaft 186 and a wing 187 disposed at the rotation shaft to mix the meat product. Shapes of the rotation shaft 186 and the wing 187 may be variously modified as long as the meat product is mixed. The rotation shaft 186 may be in the form of a pipe having a through-hole of an axis direction. The rotation shaft 186 may include a plurality of nozzles 186a connected to the through-hole. The activated gas circulator 160 may provide the activated gas to the rotation shaft 186. Accordingly, while the rotation shaft 186 is rotated to stir the meat product, the activated gas may be injected through the nozzle 186a of the rotation shaft 186 to cure or sterilize the meat product.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plasma treatment apparatus 110b for a meat product includes a main chamber 180 adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space, a plasma chamber 150 connected to the main chamber 180, a plasma generator 120 disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180, and an activated gas circulator 160 adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber 180 and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber 120. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and cured or sterilized by the activated gas.

The plasma chamber 150 and the main chamber 180 may be spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, the main chamber 180 may employ the same structure as a chamber of a mixer. The plasma generator 120 may generate remote plasma inside the plasma chamber 150 and provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180 through a connection pipe 159 connecting the plasma chamber 150 with the main chamber 180. The connection pipe 159 may be bellows. As the plasma chamber 150 and the main chamber 180 are separated from each other, space occupancy may be improved and a conventional mixer (main chamber) may not be almost transformed to reduce the cost.

The above-described main chamber 180 may perform a mixing process of meat products and a plasma curing process. However, according to another embodiments described below, the main chamber 180 may perform only a plasma curing process or a plasma sterilization process without performing a mixing process.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plasma treatment apparatus 110c for a meat product includes a main chamber 180 adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space, a plasma chamber 150 connected to the main chamber 180, a plasma generator 120 disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180, and an activated gas circulator 160 adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber 180 and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber 120. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and cured or sterilized by the activated gas.

The main chamber 180 may store a finely chopped or ground meat product and treat the stored meat product by means of a plasma curing process or a sterilization process. The meat product may be directly exposed to the activated gas to be plasma-cured or sterilized. To achieve this, the main chamber 180 may include transfer means 287 for transferring the meat product. The transfer means 287 may be a conveyer belt. The main chamber 180 may include loading means (not shown) for loading the meat product on the transfer means 287 and storage means (not shown) for storing the plasma-cured meat product.

When the meat product is transferred, a large surface area of the meat product is loaded on the transfer means 287. The meat product may be in the form of a droplet or plate to have a large surface area.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plasma treatment apparatus 200 for a meat product includes a main chamber 280 adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space, a plasma chamber 150 connected to the main chamber 280, a plasma generator 120 disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180, and an activated gas circulator 160 adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber 180 and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber 120. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and cured or sterilized by the activated gas.

The plasma chamber 150 is a sealed container, which may prevent external leakage of the activated gas. The plasma chamber 150 may be in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped or a cylinder and be made of a metal material. The plasma chamber 150 may include a body chamber 151 and a plasma chamber lid 152. A gas distributor 140 and the plasma generator 120 may be disposed inside the plasma chamber 150. The plasma chamber 150 may receive air in atmosphere, an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas or an activated gas through the plasma chamber lid 152.

The plasma generator 120 may receive the nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas and perform atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas. The nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas may include a nitrite gas (NO₂). The nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas may be dissolved in moisture of a meat product to generate nitrate ions and nitrite ions. The plasma generator 120 may discharge a source gas (air in atmosphere or oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas) or a circulated activated gas, which is used to perform atmospheric discharge, to generate the nitrogen oxide (N_xO_y) gas. The plasma generator 120 may be designed such that a gas is discharged while passing through the plasma generator 120. The activated gas may be circulated to maintain concentration of the nitrite gas (NO₂) at a predetermined value or more and remove an ozone gas.

The main chamber 280 stores the meat product and provides a sealed space. The main chamber 180 may be in the form of a cylinder, and the plasma chamber 150 may be mounted on the main chamber lid 282. The main chamber 280 may be disposed to be included to a horizontal surface.

The meat product may be sausage, ham, bacon or can ham. A raw material of the meat product may be pork, beef, chicken, duck meat, mutton, goat meat, turkey meat, horsemeat or dog meat. The meat product may be mixed by a bar-shaped scoop 287 disposed on an inner sidewall of the main chamber 280 and rotation of the main chamber 280.

The main chamber 280 may constitute a vacuum tumbler. The vacuum tumbler may remove air inside the main chamber 280. The main chamber 280 may be rotated to mix and massage the meat product. Specifically, the main chamber 280 includes a bar-shaped scoop mounted on an inner sidewall of the main chamber 280 and the meat product is lifted and falls by rotation of the main chamber to be mixed and massaged.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plasma treatment apparatus 200a for a meat product includes a main chamber 280 adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space, a plasma chamber 150 connected to the main chamber 280, a plasma generator 120 disposed inside the plasma chamber 150 and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber 180, and an activated gas circulator 160 adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber 180 and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber 120. The meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and cured or sterilized by the activated gas. The main chamber 280 may constitute a vacuum tumbler.

The plasma chamber 150 may be spatially separated from the main chamber 280 and provide an activated gas generated using remote plasma into the main chamber 280 through a connection pipe 259. The connection pipe 259 may be bellows. The connection pipe 259 may be connected to the main chamber 280 using a bearing disposed in the center of a lid of the main chamber 280. Thus, the connection pipe 259 may not be rotated in spite of rotation with the main chamber 280.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims

A plasma treatment apparatus for a meat product, comprising:

a main chamber adapted to store a meat product and provide a sealed space;

a plasma chamber connected to the main chamber;

a plasma generator disposed inside the plasma chamber and adapted to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas using atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge plasma of an oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas and provide the activated gas into the main chamber; and

an activated gas circulator adapted to receive the activated gas inside the main chamber and re-provide the received activated gas to the plasma chamber,

wherein the meat product is directly exposed to the activated gas and is processed by the activated gas.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main chamber includes a rotation shaft and a wing disposed at the rotation shaft to mix the meat product.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rotation shaft is in the form of a pipe having a through-hole in an axial direction,

the rotation shaft includes a plurality of nozzles connected to the through-hole, and

the activated gas circulator provides the activated gas to the rotation shaft.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the active gas circulator comprises:

an ozone filter connected to the main chamber to remove ozone;

a gas detector connected to the back end of the ozone filter to measure concentration of a nitrite gas; and

a compressor connected to the back end of the gas detector, and

wherein the compressor provides the activated gas into the plasma chamber.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plasma generator comprises a plurality of dielectric barrier discharge modules spaced apart from each other to extend parallel to each other.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of the dielectric barrier discharge modules comprises:

a first dielectric barrier discharge plate extending in a first direction on an arrangement defined by the first direction and a second direction;

a second dielectric barrier discharge plate spaced in a third direction perpendicular to the arrangement plane to extend in the first direction; and

a pair of spacers disposed at opposite ends of the second dielectric barrier discharge plate to be maintained at a fixed distance,

first plasma electrodes having the same shape are disposed on face-to-face surfaces of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate, respectively,

second plasma electrodes having the same shape are disposed on back-to-back surfaces of the first dielectric barrier discharge plate and the second dielectric barrier discharge plate, respectively, and

the first plasma electrode and the second plasma electrode are spaced apart from each other in a second direction.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the plasma generator comprises:

a conductive support block supporting the spacer and extending in the third direction;

a pair of side insulating plates disposed at the outermost portion of the plurality of dielectric barrier discharge modules and extending in the first direction; and

an insulating cover disposed to cover the conductive support block and extending in the third direction.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plasma generator comprises:

a plurality of first dielectric barrier discharge rods extending in a first direction, arranged at regular intervals, and made of a metal material coated with an insulator;

a plurality of second dielectric barrier discharge rods disposed between a pair of adjacent first dielectric barrier rods and extending in the first direction;

a left conductive support block fixing one end of the first dielectric barrier discharge rods, disposed at the left of the first dielectric barrier discharge rod, and extending in a third direction; and

a right conductive support block fixing one end of the second dielectric barrier discharge rods, disposed at the left of the second dielectric barrier discharge rod, and extending in the third direction.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the plasma generator further comprises:

a side insulating plate disposed at the outermost portion of the first dielectric barrier discharge rods;

a left insulating cover disposed to cover the left conductive support block; and

a right insulating cover disposed to cover the right conductive support block.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plasma chamber and the main chamber are spatially spaced apart from each other, and the plasma generator generates remote plasma and provides the activated gas into the main chamber.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main chamber further comprises:

transfer means for transferring the meat product.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a gas distributor disposed inside the plasma chamber and adapted to distribute a provided gas and provide the distributed gas to the plasma generator,

wherein the gas distributor comprises gas distribution plates of a multi-layer structure spaced apart from each other, and

the gas distributor has a plurality of through-holes and provides the activated gas to the plasma generator through the through-holes.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main chamber is rotated to mix and massage the meat product.
The plasma treatment apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the main chamber comprises a scoop mounted on an inner sidewall of the main chamber, and

the meat product is lifted and falls by rotation of the main chamber to be mixed and massaged.
A method for producing meat products, comprising:

performing atmospheric plasma discharge using a nitrogen-oxygen mixed gas to generate an activated gas containing a nitrogen oxide gas; and

directly providing the activated gas to a meat product,

wherein the meat product directly exposed to the nitrogen oxide gas is cured or sterilized to generate nitrite ions.
The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein directly providing the activated gas to the meat product is performed during a mixing process of the meat product.
The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein a plasma chamber adapted to perform the atmospheric plasma discharge and a main chamber adapted to store the meat product are manufactured in one body.
The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein a plasma chamber adapted to perform the atmospheric plasma discharge and a main chamber adapted to store the meat product are spatially separated from each other, and

the plasma chamber provides the activated gas generated through the atmospheric plasma discharge into the main chamber.
The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising:

receiving the activated gas exposed to the meat product to remove an ozone gas from the activated gas and re-perform the atmospheric plasma discharge.
The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the atmospheric plasma discharge is atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge,

power density of the dielectric barrier discharge is 10 W/cm2 or higher to suppress ozone generation, and

a frequency of the dielectric barrier discharge is 30 KHz and 50 KHz to suppress ozone generation.
The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein directly providing the activated gas to the meat product is performed in a mixer adapted to mix the meat product or a tumbler.
A meat product processed by a method for producing meat products set forth any one of claims 15 to 21.