Inactivation effects of plasma-activated water on Fusarium graminearum

The continuous usage of fungicides poses a potential threat to the environment, ranging from mere irritation to being very toxic to human beings and organisms. Plasma-activated water (PAW) has recently gained much interest as a promising candidate to inactivate fungi. However, the inactivation mechanisms of PAW are still not well understood. In this study, the effect of PAW on the viability and the cellular responses of Fusarium graminearum in PAW inactivation were investigated. The results showed that microbial activity of spores was significantly inhibited by PAW treatment (P < 0.05). The symptoms caused by F. graminearum were significantly reduced on the spikelets. Our data indicated that PAW could induce cell wall sculpturing, membrane permeability changes, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Differential gene expression analysis also confirmed that the cell membrane, the cell wall and the mitochondria were the organelles most affected by PAW. The results from this study facilitate the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the responses of F. graminearum to PAW and the development of PAW as a potential fungicidal agent or an effective supplement to fungicides. HighlightsO_LIThe viability of F. graminearum is notably inhibited by PAW C_LIO_LIThe symptoms caused by F. graminearum were significantly reduced on the spikelets C_LIO_LIOxidative stress induce cell wall sculpturing, membrane permeability change C_LIO_LIPAW can cause the mitochondrial dysfunction C_LIO_LICell wall, membrane and mitochondria are the most affected organelles by PAW C_LI