Alternaria mycotoxin degradation and quality evaluation of jujube juice by cold plasma treatment

Abstract

Cold plasma was explored to degrade Alternaria mycotoxins (AOH and AME) in jujube juice and the effects of plasma treatment on juice quality were evaluated. After treated for 2 min by cold plasma, AOH and AME was reduced by 56.0% and 68.2%, respectively. With voltage increased from 10 to 30 kV, AOH and AME degradation increased from 1.3% to 56% and 8.1%–62.8%, respectively. The increment of juice °Brix significantly decreased toxin degradation. In terms to juice quality, with treatment time and voltage increasing, DPPH was remained, while reducing sugar, total acid, physical stability, and brightness were significantly increased. However, both increase and decrease were observed in other quality parameters. Conclusively, plasma treatment could effectively degrade Alternaria mycotoxins in jujube juice, and demonstrated some positive and little negative impact on juice quality. Therefore, cold plasma is a good alternative non-thermal technology for effective reduction of Alternaia mycotoxins and enhanced quality retention of jujube juice.