Abstract: Gliding arc discharge plasma is a kind of discharge phenomenon in atmospheric environment，during which active particles have good bacteriostatic effect on various foodborne harmful microorganisms in environment.Sterilization effect of discharge treatment time against bacillus subtilis was studied and inactivation mechanism of gliding arc discharge plasma was revealed by surface morphology，electrical conductivity and confocal microscopy by taking bacillus subtilis as treated samples.Results showed that nitrogen discharge plasma had better bactericidal effect，whose main bacteriostatic mechanism was to destroy cell membrane of bacteria，leading to cell necrosis.