Potential use of plasma‐activated water on Escherichia coli for sterilization: Efficacy and mechanism

Abstract The plasma‐activated water (PAW) produced by low‐temperature plasma (LTP) was applied to this research because of its safety and no thermal damage. Therefore, the physicochemical properties of PAW, as well as the efficacy and sterilization mechanism of Escherichia coli , were discussed. The PAW (pH 1.27, conductivity 6400 μS/cm) could reduce E. coli by 1.31‐log reduction using LTP at 70 W for 9 min. The results demonstrated that PAW caused DNA and protein leakage with malondialdehyde production. This study may provide a basis for the theoretical research of PAW sterilization. As an effective sterilant, PAW would be a promising alternative strategy for cleaning of E. coli from pipes and filters in food factories.