Atmospheric-pressure plasma treated water for seed germination and seedling growth of mung bean and its sterilization effect on mung bean sprouts

Plasma treated water (PTW), produced by atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment of water, usually contains various reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of different types of PTW on seed germination, seedling growth and microbial sterilization during the germinated mung bean processing. Results showed that air-PTW possessed outstanding abilities in improving seed germination and seedling growth with a germination index of 95.50% and a vigor index of 1146.64, and in microbial decontamination. The physicochemical properties of the PTW were analyzed to better understand the PTW stressed germination. Some physiological parameters like the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and phytohormone (indole acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA)) during germination were also evaluated. This study suggested that air-PTW treatment could indeed provide a green and effective mean of stimulating seed germination and plant growth, and thus accelerate the growth cycle. Industrial relevance: Increasing the production of food by using both economical and environmentally friendly means has been deemed as an urgent matter to sustain the food demand of rapidly growing world population. The results of this study suggest that PTW presents a great opportunity to address this need by increasing seedling growth and viability. PTW treatment is an environment-friendly and low-cost mean of stimulating seed germination and plant growth, which possesses the potential of scale up or industrial applications in relevant fields.