Cold plasma: exploring a new option for management of postharvest fungal pathogens, mycotoxins and insect pests in Australian stored cereal grain

Abstract

Various strategies are used to reduce postharvest cereal grain contaminants such as insect pests and fungal pathogens. Chemical and physical treatments are common management practices but may leave harmful chemical residues on grains or alter their nutrient content (particularly temperature treatments) and have other limitations. This review explores the recent literature regarding cold plasma, with emphasis on its efficacy for decontamination of postharvest cereal grain from biological contaminants. Cold plasma is an ionised gas containing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, electrons and free radicals that are lethal to microorganisms and has the potential to decontaminate food surfaces and to increase shelf life. Studies conducted on rice, wheat, corn, barley and oats have demonstrated that cold plasma significantly reduced the amount of fungi, bacteria and their spores on grain surfaces. Cold plasma may also detoxify mycotoxins, and control insect pests. Evidence from various global studies demonstrates the potential use of cold plasma to manage postharvest fungi, mycotoxins and insect pests in Australian stored cereal grain.