Development and Application of a Novel Flow-Through Plasma-Activated Water Generator for Household Food Safety: Characterization, Safety, and Antimicrobial Efficacy

Despite the promise of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a chemical-free sanitization approach, its widespread adoption in households is limited by safety concerns and device complexity. This study presents the development of a compact, user-friendly flow-through PAW generator engineered for enhanced safety and antimicrobial performance. Compared to previous designs, the improved system drastically reduces leakage current by 99.6% (from 623 µA to 2.5 µA) and NO2 gas emissions by 25.7-fold (from 7700 ppb to 300 ppb), ensuring compliance with international safety standards (IEC DIN EN 60601) and air quality regulations (Thailand’s NAAQS and the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines). The antimicrobial efficacy of PAW was demonstrated using raw oyster meat, achieving a 93.5% reduction in total viable count (TVC), equivalent to a 1.19-log reduction, after just two rinse cycles. Importantly, the residual levels of nitrite and nitrate in treated oysters remained well below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits established by JECFA. Key technological advancements include a dual-chamber plasma reactor, integrated gas containment, RCBO installation, and optimized electrodes for enhanced plasma stability and reduced risk of electrical leakage. With an energy cost of approximately 0.00192 USD per liter of PAW produced, compact design, and chemical-free operation, this PAW system offers a viable, safe, and environmentally responsible solution for household food decontamination.