Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a liquid enriched with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), which impart antimicrobial and bioactive properties. In this study, PAW generated in liquid or gas phase under nitrogen or oxygen atmospheres was characterized in terms of pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential, surface tension, and concentrations of H2O2 and NO2−. Hydroxyl radical (•OH) formation was confirmed using DIPPMPO as a spin-trapping probe, while antioxidant activity was determined directly in treated water for the first time. The stability of reactive species was assessed over three months at room temperature, 4 °C, and −18 °C. Results indicate that plasma effects on physicochemical parameters depend strongly on the process gas. From a long-term storage perspective, samples maintained at 4 °C stabilized at higher H2O2 and NO2− concentrations. Antioxidant activity persisted for up to 60 days, though at low levels. EPR analysis revealed that hydroxyl radical concentration increased slightly during storage, with 60-day samples showing higher signal intensities compared to fresh PAW. Overall, the findings provide new insights into PAW composition, radical dynamics, and stability, highlighting the influence of gas atmosphere and storage conditions on its properties and supporting its potential for applications in the food, agriculture, and biomedical sectors.
Cingesar et al. (2025) studied this question.