Aims: The cost of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) significantly affects a wide range of sectors. This study aims to assess the efficiency of a novel technology based on the use of plasma-activated water (PAW) in inhibiting corrosion caused by bacteria.
Methods and results: This study evaluated the effectiveness of PAW, produced by a plasma bubble reactor, in reducing corrosion causing Pseudomonas aeruginosa planktonic cells in tap water and biofilms were grown onto stainless steel (SS) coupons. Planktonic cells and biofilms were treated with PAW at different discharge frequencies (500-1500 Hz) and exposure times (0-20 min). P. aeruginosa cells in tap water were significantly reduced after treatment, with higher exposure times and discharge frequencies achieving higher reductions. Also, PAW treatment led to a gradual reduction for young and mature biofilms, achieving >4-Log reductions after 20 min. Results were also used to develop two predictive inactivation models.
Conclusions: This work presents evidence that PAW can be used to inactivate both planktonic cells and biofilms of P. aeruginosa. Experimental and theoretical results also demonstrate that reduction is dependent on discharge frequency and exposure time.
Significance and impact of the study: This work demonstrates the potential of using PAW as means to control MIC.
Keywords: P. aeruginosa; biofilm; intracellular ATP levels; microbial corrosion; plasma-activated water.
© 2021 The Society for Applied Microbiology.