AUTHOR=Zhang Huanlan , Wei Jie , Xv Hongjie , Khan Imran , Sun Qinxiu , Zhao Xihong , Gao Jialong , Liu Shucheng , Wei Shuai 

TITLE=Bactericidal efficacy of plasma-activated water against Vibrio parahaemolyticus on Litopenaeus vannamei

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1365282

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2024.1365282

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<p>In this study, the antimicrobial mechanism of plasma-activated water (PAW) against <italic>Vibrio parahaemolyticus</italic> and the effectiveness of PAW in artificially contaminated <italic>Litopenaeus vannamei</italic> were investigated. The results demonstrated a significant reduction (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) in viable counts of <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic> with increasing plasma discharge time (5, 10, 20, and 30 min) and PAW immersion time (3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 s). Specifically, the count of <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic> decreased by 2.1, 2.7, 3.3, and 4.4 log CFU/mL after exposed to PAW 5, PAW 10, PAW 20, and PAW 30 for 30 s, respectively. Significant cell surface wrinkling, accompanied by notable nucleic acid and protein leakage were observed after treatment with PAW. The permeability of the inner and outer cell membranes was significantly increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), along with an increase in electrical conductivity (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). The reactive oxygen species (ROS) within <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic> cells were significantly increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the relative expression of the <italic>ompW</italic>, <italic>emrD</italic>, and <italic>luxS</italic> genes were significantly decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05). A reduction number of 1.3, 1.8, 2.1, and 2.2 log CFU/g of <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic> in artificially contaminated <italic>L. vannamei</italic> was obtained with PAW for 5 min. The study elucidated that PAW could destroy cell membranes, leading to cell death. The findings would strengthen strategies for <italic>V. parahaemolyticus</italic> control and provide a potential application of PAW for preserving aquatic products.</p>