Investigative Study on the Interaction and Applications of Plasma Activated Water(PAW)

Abstract

Cold plasma is a budding technology that can be used as a nonthermal disinfectant and for surface modification which is free of chemicals and is environmentally friendly. The treatment of water with plasma, producing plasma activated water (PAW), generates an acidic condition resulting in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and creates change in the redox potential as well as conductivity. Consequently, the chemical composition of water and PAW differ from each other and can now be employed as a substitute for disinfection against microbes. The various sources of plasma used for PAW production, its physical and chemical properties and its prospective uses are reviewed in this paper. Particularly, the physiochemical properties of PAW will be discussed in the context of its acidity, conductivity, the amount of ROS and RNS, as well as its redox potential. Since the results are microbial in nature, the microbial disinfection with the use of PAW will also be reviewed. Lastly, the usage of PAW to enhance agricultural methods, such as its effect in plant growth and stimulating seed germination, is also discussed. It can be interpreted that PAW synergistically disinfects food as well as enhances the growth of seedlings. The boost in plant growth conceivably be mainly due to the increase in concentration of nitrate and nitrite ions in PAW. Therefore, in addition to the antimicrobial action of PAW, submerging seedlings in PAW supplements the germination of seeds and plant growth. This could possibly help fight against the drought stress and improve the yield of crops.