A direct current atmospheric pressure cold plasma microjet (PMJ) was used to produce plasma activated water (PAW) in two generation modes above (PAW-A) and beneath (PAW-B) the water surface. The physicochemical characteristics and biological effects of them were measured respectively. Results showed that PAW-B exhibited stronger disinfection efficiency than PAW-A, which was associated with ORP and conductivity, but not pH value, temperature, H 2 O 2 , NO 3 À or NO 2 À . Furthermore, the cell membrane integrity and membrane potential of S. aureus were destroyed more severely by PAW-B. More importantly, a significant increase of intracellular ROS was induced by PAW-B, which was supposed to contribute most to the sterilization. This work provides valuable guidance for the production and wide applications of PAW.
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