Plasma-activated water in agriculture, food safety, and healthcare

Plasma-activated water (PAW) is an innovative, sustainable, high-performance solution generated by exposing water to cold plasma, which enriches the liquid with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). These energised molecules impart antimicrobial and functional properties, enabling PAW to play a valuable role across agriculture, food industry, and healthcare, and in this way act like a ‘performance chemical’ (i.e., specialised chemical products designed to enhance the performance of various processes across multiple industries [ 1 ]). This review highlights the science behind PAW, from how it is produced and how its reactive species behave, to its growing list of applications. Examples include boosting crops grow stronger, improving food safety, disinfecting surfaces, and even supporting medical treatments and wound care. We also explore practical questions, such as how to fine-tune the process, measure the active species, and scale production in a cost-effective way. While PAW offers large potential, challenges remain around energy efficiency, stability of its active compounds, and the need for clear regulations. By bringing together current knowledge and strategies, this review shows how PAW can be developed and applied as a practical solution to global challenges in food security, public health, and environmental sustainability. • We provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art review on plasma-activated water (PAW). • This work bridges fragmented reports on PAW across agriculture, food safety, and healthcare. • Provide a frame of holistic PAW-knowledge on top of the topical-specific PAW knowledge. • Mechanistic insights into PAW chemistry and reactive species are systematically deciphered. • Key challenges and future directions for industrial adoption and regulatory approval are identified.