Antimicrobial Effect of Plasma-Activated Tap Water on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans

Abstract

In this study, the potential antimicrobial activity of plasma-activated tap water (PAW) was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. For this, PAW was prepared in a gliding arc plasma system using two treatment conditions: stagnant water and water stirring by a magnetic stirrer, called moving water. Subsequently, their oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), pH, electrical conductivity (σ), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were monitored in different areas of the sample divided according to the depth of the beaker. It was observed that PAW obtained in dynamic conditions showed a more uniform acidity among the evaluated areas with pH 3.53 and ORP of 215 mV. Finally, standardized suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Escherichia coli (ATCC 10799), and Candida albicans (SC 5314) were treated with PAW, and the reduction of viable cells determined the antimicrobial effect. Our results indicate that the tap water, activated by plasma treatment using gliding arc, is an excellent inactivation agent in the case of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. On the other hand, no significant antimicrobial activity was achieved for Candida albicans.

Effect of Gliding Arc Plasma Jet on the Mycobiota and Deoxynivalenol Levels in Naturally Contaminated Barley Grains

“…In agreement with our previous work [ 14 ], the optical emission spectrum of the GAPJ contains NH, N 2 , and OH species in abundance. In addition to these species, the literature shows that GAPJ interacting with air generates the so-called peroxynitrite (NO, NO 2 , NO 3 − , OH, H 2 O 2 , O 3 , O, 1 O 2 , HO 2 , O 2 *, HNO 2 ) [ 2 ].…”

“…Figure 1 shows the configuration used to study the inactivation of FML03 and FML08. The electrical parameters of the GAPJ device were characterized according to Chiappim et al, 2021 [ 14 ]. Table 1 shows the main parameters of the plasma jet and the substrate.…”

“…Direct application is when the PJ is used directly on a substrate for surface treatment or activation. In contrast, indirect application is when plasma activates a liquid that will be used for a specific application [ 2 , 14 ]. The most used discharges for PJ generation are dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and gliding arc (GA) [ 11 , 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Simultaneous Treatment of Both Sides of the Polymer with a Conical-Shaped Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

“…APPJs generate plasma plumes in open spaces, enabling the direct treatment of samples of different shapes and sizes [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Over the years, APPJs have been successfully tested in many applications, such as material treatment, sterilization, cancer and wound treatment, aesthetic applications, and dentistry [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ]. Many different configurations of APPJs are reported in the literature.…”

Food safety of plasma-chemically activated water and bread made with its use

“…The plasma-chemically activated water obtained by this method has high permeability due to the appearance of a small-cluster structure and pronounced antiseptic properties due to the presence of peroxide and superoxide compounds in its composition [4]. This method of water treatment is also classified as environmentally friendly [15][16][17]. Excluding the use of antimicrobial substances, treatment with non-equilibrium contact plasma leads to inactivation of opportunistic microorganisms in water due to the simultaneous action of electric discharges, ultraviolet radiation, and ozonation [15].…”