Abstract
Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been widely applied in the food and agricultural industries. It is still unknown whether natural bioactive compounds in seeds are affected by NTP treatment. Our goal was to examine whether the bioactive compounds in djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) seed are changed after NTP treatment. The betacyanin, anthocyanin, total phenolic content (TPCs), total flavonoids (TFs), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging effects (DPPH), gallic acid, and rutin were compared in NTP-treated seed and an untreated control. Levels of betacyanin, anthocyanin, and TPCs in the seed were found to be significantly increased after the nitrogen (N2)-NTP treatment compared with the control (p < 0.001). Inversely, the air-NTP treatment significantly weakened the performance of these bioactive compounds in the seed as compared to the control. Levels of TFs in both the air- and N2-NTP treated seed were significantly lower than those in the control (p < 0.001). After the NTP treatment, DPPH was still at high levels, similar to those in the control. The djulis seed extract had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on THP-1 (human-monocyte-cell line) cells. N2-NTP generated nitrogen reactive species that activated the bioactive compounds in the seed. In contrast, air-NTP produced oxygen and nitrogen reactive species inhibited the expression of these bioactive compounds.
Highlights
Non-thermal pressure plasma or non-thermal plasma (NTP) generates plasma ionizing gases that damage biological targets without increasing the temperature in the treated regions through the formation of free radicals, photons, positive ions, free electrons, and an electromagnetic field
The findings of the present study showed that air NTP (air-NTP) treatment inhibited the performance of certain bioactive compounds in the djulis seed, and N2 NTP (N2-NTP) enhanced the levels of bioactive compounds
The findings of the present study indicated that several natural bioactive compounds, betacyanin, anthocyanin, total phenolic content (TPC), gallic acid, and rutin, which have potential antioxidant abilities in djulis seed, were activated by N2-NTP treatment and inhibited by air-NTP treatment
Summary
Non-thermal pressure plasma or non-thermal plasma (NTP) generates plasma ionizing gases that damage biological targets (e.g., cancer cells) without increasing the temperature in the treated regions through the formation of free radicals, photons, positive ions, free electrons, and an electromagnetic field. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), which is an NTP device, is a neutral ionized gas consisting of positive charge ions, neutral particles, electrons, and UV radiation at near room temperature. Compared with traditional food techniques, NTP may offer several advantages, including that it can be used at room temperature in a dry environment; is a fast, safe treatment; and there are no chemical residues developed under operating conditions. It is an eco-friendly, highly sensitive, economic approach to plant health [10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
