Cold plasma technology on minimally processed roasted coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in relation to physicochemical properties, sensorial analysis and antioxidant compounds

Abstract

The application of cold plasma in the food industry has had an important impact since it causes minimal alterations in nutritional content, does not leave chemical residues and in some cases does not affect the sensory quality of food. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the physicochemical, sensory, and antioxidant compounds of roasted coffee treated with cold plasma. Cold plasma was generated with a device a discharged dielectric barrier (DBD) at an input power of 30 W and an output voltage of 850 volts, applied at different times with advertising helium gas (1.5 L min-1). Cold plasma treatment showed no significant difference in the color parameter. Moreover, we detected no differences in the aromatic and sensory profile submitted to plasma treatment for 30 min compared with the untreated samples. On the other hand, a 12% reduction of the total content of soluble polyphenols and an increase of 14% in the antioxidant capacity were observed in samples treated with cold plasma.