Perspectives on Coupling Nonthermal Plasma Generated in Gas–Liquid Water Environments with Microbes

The large natural metabolic diversity of microorganisms has allowed them to survive in very harsh conditions of high temperature, high ionizing radiation, and high concentrations of reactive chemical species. The environment of low temperature plasma generated with liquids is comparable to many natural conditions (high temperature, highly oxidative, presence of various types of radiation) and thus suggests microbes can evolve or be engineered to not only survive but thrive in such extreme conditions. The evidence from the literature and previous work suggests that the in-situ coupling of engineered and evolved strains of bacteria with low temperature plasma generated with liquid water may provide enhanced functionality with respect to organic chemical reactions.