Simultaneous achievement of antimicrobial property and plant growth promotion using plasma‐activated benzoic compound solution

Abstract

This study assesses a potential use of the recently developed nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma technology in hydroponic plant cultivation. Two types of plasma‐activated liquid solutions were compared, namely, l ‐Phenylalanine ( l ‐Phe), which had a benzene ring structure, and l ‐Alanine ( l ‐Ala), which did not have a benzene ring structure. Antimicrobial property and plant growth enhancement were simultaneously obtained when plasma‐activated l ‐Phe was used. We found that the benzene ring structure in solution contributed to antimicrobial property. Further, colony forming unit assay indicated that 99% of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) were eliminated after 24‐h incubation and radish sprout growth increased by about 40% after 2 days of cultivation.