Interactions between pH, reactive species, and cells in plasma-activated water can remove algae
Ken Mizoi, Vicente Rodríguez‐González, Mao Sasaki, Shoki Suzuki, Kaede Honda, Naoya Ishida, Norihiro Suzuki, Kazuyuki Kuchitsu, Takeshi Kondo, Makoto Yuasa, Akira Fujishima, Katsuya Teshima, Chiaki Terashima
Abstract
. After two weeks monitoring basil growth, the antifungal properties were preserved, few reactive oxygen species formed in the plasma zone, and only reactive nitrogen species were transformed into reactive peroxynitrite ions. The pH around the cells was determined using an iridium oxide microelectrode. The PAW antialgal mechanism depended on acidic conditions (pH 2.2, at which peroxynitrite can be generated) under which ONOOH penetrated the algal cell membranes, destroying the cells and preventing growth. This practical and sustainable PAW process allows a surprising amount of fertilizer to be generated with an antialgal effect that could be used in various eco-friendly agricultural processes under ambient conditions.