Glow Discharge Plasma Efficiently Degrades T-2 Toxin in Aqueous Solution and Patulin in Apple Juice

Abstract

The degradation of T-2 toxin in aqueous solution and patulin in apple juice at different conditions by glow discharge plasma (GDP) was investigated. High performance liquid chromatography (HLPC) was used to analyze the toxins concentration which was changed by treatment time. The results showed that GDP treatment could rapidly and effectively degrade T-2 toxin in aqueous solution and patulin in apple juice. The higher the initial toxin concentrations, the higher treatment efficiency could be achieved within the same time. The degradation rates of T-2 toxin at any different initial concentration were all up to 30% after 8 min, whilst no T-2 toxin was detected after 40 min. The toxin removal rate was faster at a relatively higher acidity and alkalinity levels. The Fe2+ and H2O2 exhibited strong catalysis ability to the degradation reactions. The values of pH in the degraded solution were decreased rapidly due to the formation of carboxylic acids. Afterwards, the values were increased as carboxylic acids were decomposed into CO2 and H2O. The dynamics equation curve is most appropriate and confirms that the degradation reaction of T-2 toxin by GDP belonged to the first order kinetics reaction, which could be expressed as ln (C0/Ct)=kt. Quality evaluation of the apple juice indicated that GDP treatment within 10 min had little effects on quality of apple juice.