Inactivation of Candida albicans and Lemon (Citrus limon) Spoilage Fungi Using Plasma Activated Water

In the present work, we have studied the inactivation of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and lemon (Citrus limon) spoilage fungi using plasma activated water (PAW). Air and N2 are used as plasma forming gases for PAW preparation. Optical emission spectroscopy is used to determine various active radicals and species present in the air and N2 plasma. The present study shows the changes in physicochemical properties and reactive oxygen–nitrogen species formed in PAW. Furthermore, the fungicidal efficacy of PAW is investigated on C. albicans. The role of oxidizing potential of PAW and PAW treatment time with fungi (C. albicans and Citrus limon spoilage fungi) is investigated in the present work. Results showed high oxidizing PAW can achieve 6 + log10 CFU ml−1 reduction in fungi even with low treatment time. Morphology analysis by HR-SEM, leaked nucleic acids and protein measurement by UV–visible spectroscopy, and PI binding red fluorescence of cells showed PAW treatment with C. albicans damaged the membrane of cells due to which leakage of extracellular materials occurred that led to cells death. The present study also reveals the long-term fungicidal efficacy of PAW on C. albicans and Citrus limon spoilage fungi.