Impact of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Atmospheric Cold Plasma Pre-treatment on the Quality Attributes of Fresh Figs During Cold Storage

In this paper, remodeling the shrimp processing chain and the effects of the transformation on the biochemical and sensory qualities of fresh Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) under refrigeration storage were investigated. In the proposed model, a dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma pretreatment step using a 60 kV source for 60, 90, 120, and 150 s was introduced after the first and second wash followed by refrigeration storage at 4 ± 1 °C for 12 days. Chemical, biochemical, and sensory attributes of the shrimp were monitored and compared with those of shrimp processed through the traditional method without atmospheric cold plasma pretreatment (control). Incorporating minimal dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma pretreatment step had more desirable quality outcomes characterized by low malondialdehyde concentration, low volatile nitrogen products content, and comparable proximate composition. Texture, pH, and color were remarkably retained at 120 and 150 s of atmospheric cold plasma pretreatment and protein degradation was negligible up to 90 s than at 120 and 150 s of pretreatment. We conclude that remodeling the shrimp processing chain through incorporating minimal dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma pretreatment with key considerations on operation parameters can maximize the beneficial biochemical and sensory quality outcomes while minimizing the negative impacts associated with traditional shrimp processing.

Lethal and Sublethal Effect of a Dielectric Barrier Discharge Atmospheric Cold Plasma on Staphylococcus aureus

This study systematically evaluated the effects of thermal pasteurization (TP) and dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD ACP) on microbial inactivation, nutritional composition, enzymatic activity, and sensory attributes of fresh mandarin juice during 18 days of storage at 4 °C. TP was applied at 95 °C for 60 s, while DBD ACP treatments were conducted for durations ranging from 30 to 120 s. TP effectively inactivated spoilage microorganisms and quality-degrading enzymes, reducing microbial counts to acceptable levels and enzymatic activities (polyphenol oxidase and pectin methylesterase) to below 20%. However, TP significantly compromised nutritional quality, with notable reductions in ascorbic acid (26%), total phenolics, and antioxidant capacity. Additionally, TP negatively impacted sensory properties, inducing heat-related pigment degradation and the development of off-flavors. In contrast, DBD ACP treatments, particularly at 30–60 s, preserved ascorbic acid, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity, maintaining values statistically similar to those of the untreated juice samples. The 120-s DBD ACP treatment achieved microbial reduction comparable to TP (total plate count: 3.30 log CFU/mL; yeast and molds: 2.40 log CFU/mL), but demonstrated limited efficacy in enzyme inactivation, with residual enzyme activities exceeding 80%. Sensory evaluation indicated that DBD ACP-preserved juice retained its color, aroma, flavor, and taste, with scores closely aligned with those of the control sample. Results suggest that while DBD ACP is effective in preserving nutritional and sensory quality, its limited ability to inactivate enzymes may necessitate a combination with other preservation methods. Overall, DBD ACP represents a promising non-thermal processing technology for the safety and preservation of fresh fruit juices.

Dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD-ACP) treatment has been used to reduce microbial contamination on the surface of grains, contributing to improved food safety, however, its effect on the edible and processing of whole grain flours is not totally clear. In this study, the effect of DBD-ACP (5 W, 0–20 min) on the nutritional, physicochemical and structural properties of whole quinoa (WQ), whole highland barley (WHB) and whole triticale (WT) were evaluated. Results showed that the effect of DBD-ACP treatment on the nutrient composition of different flours differed between grain types. The total polyphenol content of WQ exhibited the most significant changes after 20 min of treatment, decreasing by 62.98%. In addition, DBD-ACP treatment increased Thr, Phe and Tyr content and accelerated fat oxidation. The results of in vitro simulated digestion experiments indicated that DBD-ACP treatment significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the final digestibility of three types of whole grain flours. Besides, 20 min of DBD-ACP treatment significantly changed the physicochemical properties of samples, evidenced by improved hydration and pasting characteristics, increased water absorption index (WAI) and swelling power (SP) and reduced peak temperature (Tp) and gelatinisation enthalpy (∆Hg), especially in WQ20. Further structural analysis showed that DBD-ACP treatment caused granule cross-linking and reduced crystallinity of flours. In conclusion, this experiment provided a theoretical basis for the application of DBD-ACP in grain processing.

The exposure of aqueous solutions to atmospheric plasmas results in the generation of relatively long-lived secondary products such as hydrogen peroxide which are biologically active and have demonstrated anti-microbial and cytotoxic activity. The use of plasma-activated solutions in applications such as microbial decontamination or anti-cancer treatments requires not only adequate performance on target cells but also a safe operating window regarding the impact on surrounding tissues. Furthermore the generation of plasma-activated fluids needs to be considered as a by-stander effect of subjecting tissue to plasma discharges. Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity assays using mammalian cell lines were used to elucidate the effects of solutions treated with di-electric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma. Plasma-treated PBS inhibited cell growth in a treatment time-dependent manner showing a linear correlation to the solutions’ peroxide concentration which remained stable over several weeks. Plasma-treated foetal bovine serum (FBS) acting as a model for complex bio-fluids showed not only cytotoxic effects but also exhibited increased mutagenic potential as determined using the mammalian HPRT assay. Further studies are warranted to determine the nature, causes and effects of the cyto- and genotoxic potential of solutions exposed to plasma discharges to ensure long-term safety of novel plasma applications in medicine and healthcare.

The potential of atmospheric air cold plasma for control of bacterial contaminants relevant to cereal grain production

Controlling Brochothrix thermosphacta as a spoilage risk using in-package atmospheric cold plasma

High activity of lipoxygenase (LOX) has been identified as a primary cause of oxidative rancidity in legumes. In this study, the application of dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD-ACP) (5 W, 10 min) resulted in an obvious decrease in LOX activity in mung bean (MB), kidney bean (KB), and adzuki bean (AB) flours by 36.96%, 32.49%, and 28.57%, respectively. Moreover, DBD-ACP induced significant increases (p < 0.05) in content of soluble dietary fiber, saturated fatty acids, and methionine. The starch digestibility of legumes was changed, evidenced by increased (p < 0.05) slowly digestible starch and rapidly digestible starch, while resistant starch decreased. Furthermore, DBD-ACP treatment significantly affected (p < 0.05) the hydration and thermal characteristics of legume flours, evidenced by the increased water absorption index (WAI) and gelatinization temperature, and the decreased swelling power (SP) and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH). Microscopic observations confirmed that DBD-ACP treatment caused particle aggregation.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Aerobic Microorganisms in Romaine Lettuce Packaged in a Commercial Polyethylene Terephthalate Container Using Atmospheric Cold Plasma

In-package atmospheric cold plasma treatment of bulk grape tomatoes for microbiological safety and preservation

Assessment of the disinfection capacity and eco-toxicological impact of atmospheric cold plasma for treatment of food industry effluents

SummaryAlicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is a typical endospore‐forming microorganism, whose spores are able to germinate in Not From Concentrate juice causing its spoilage. In this work, dielectric barrier discharge atmospheric cold plasma (DBD‐ACP) at the voltage of 30 kV was used to inactivate Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores in NFC juice (2–8 min). The results showed spores reduced nearly 3‐log CFU mL−1 after 8 min treatment, and the morphology of spores were severely disrupted, causing the release of their contents. Furthermore, proteomic analysis showed totals of 122 and 170 different expression proteins were detected in group C (control)/Ct1 (30 kV, 4 min) and C/Ct2 (30 kV, 8 min), respectively, indicating that metabolic activities of spores including amino acid and energy metabolic, protein biosynthesis, DNA replication and spore germination are inhibited. This study confirms the inactivation of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores by DBD‐ACP and provides some new perspectives on the inactivation mechanisms of spores by DBD‐ACP.

Resistance of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores to atmospheric cold plasma: Insights from sporulation temperature and mechanism analysis

Contactless flash sintering based on cold plasma

Atmospheric cold plasma-induced secondary structure modifications of shrimp allergen arginine kinase.