ABSTRACT
Improved water quality as a source of nutrient water by nanobubble engineering of various gases: Preliminary study for potato aeroponic systems

Meksy Dianawati1, Kiki Kusyaeri Hamdani1*, Hilman Syaeful Alam2, Bambang Susanto3, Ika Cartika1, Hanudin Hanudin1, Agus Nurawan1, Elisabeth Srihayu Harsanti1, Yati Haryati1, Neni Gunaeni1, Indijarto Budi Rahardjo1, Asih K. Kartasih1, Amisnaipa Amisnaipa1, and Paulina Evy Retnaning Prahardini1
 
Bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum, RS) is a major constraint in aeroponic potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed production. While hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common low-cost sterilizer in aeroponic, nanobubbles (NB) offer a superior alternative by simultaneously sterilizing and enhancing its physicochemical water quality. This study aimed to test the use of NB to produce high-quality nutrient solutions for aeroponics. The first stage tested three water types, namely distilled water, water contaminated with RS at 104 CFU mL-1 (RS4) and at 108 CFU mL-1 (RS8), with and without H2O2. The second stage tested four water types, namely distilled water, garden water, RS4, and RS8, as controls and after NB treatment using air, O2, or O3 for 10, 20, or 30 min. The observed variables were RS population, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, conductivity, particle size, and zeta potential. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, orthogonal contrast, Duncan test, Pearson correlation, and principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed five clusters, with PCA 1 and 2 representing 69.9% of total variation. The NB-O2 not only inhibited RS growth effectively but also improved water quality by increasing DO to 18.77-22.58 μmol mol-1 and reducing particle size, while maintaining suitable pH and temperature closer to the range required for potato nutrient water. Therefore NB-O2 is a promising preliminary source-water treatment, but validation in aeroponic system with potato plants is still required.
Key words: Aeroponics, gas, nanobubble, potato, Ralstonia solanacearum, Solanum tuberosum, water quality.
1National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Centre for Horticultural Crops, Cibinong Science Centre, Cibinong, Indonesia.
2National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Center for Smart Mechatronics, Bandung 40135, Indonesia.
3National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Research Centre for Crops, Cibinong Science Centre, Cibinong, Indonesia.
*Corresponding author (kiki005@brin.go.id).
Received: 5 March 2026; Accepted: 15 June 2026, Available online: 3 August 2026.