Innovative applications of plasma-activated water in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis): Improving quality, safety and sustainability

This study explores plasma-activated water (PAW) as a sustainable aquaculture water treatment for Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), evaluating its impact on antioxidant responses, microbial dynamics, and crab quality. We evaluated the physiological and microbial responses of E. sinensis using high-throughput sequencing and antioxidant enzyme assays. Our results demonstrated significant changes in microbial diversity, including a marked reduction in pathogenic bacteria such as Flavobacterium and a shift in the composition of beneficial microbiota. Additionally, we observed increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, particularly in the gills, intestine, and hepatopancreas, along with an initial rise followed by a decline in malondialdehyde levels. This indicates that crabs can effectively manage reversible damage induced by PAW through their stress response mechanisms. Furthermore, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the edible parts of E. sinensis were significantly altered, with a notable decrease in undesirable and irritating compounds such as 1-Propanol (D) and 1-Penten-3-one (D).