Reduction of Aflatoxin in Corn by High Voltage Atmospheric Cold Plasma

This study investigated the efficacy of high voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) treatment on degradation of aflatoxin in corn. Gas type (Air, MA65), relative humidity (5, 40, 80% RH), treatment time (1, 2, 5, 10, 20,and 30 min), mode of reaction, post-treatment storage, stirring of corn material were parameters investigated on degradation of aflatoxin by HVACP treatment. Generation of reactive gas species was characterized with optical emission spectroscopy and measured with dragger tubes. Generation of reactive gas species are influence by gas type and relative humidity. Higher concentration of ozone and NOx were generated during HVACP treatment in MA65 than in air and with lower relative humidity. Aflatoxin in corn could be rapidly degraded by HVACP treatment. Aflatoxin in corn was degraded by 62% and 82% by 1 and 10 min HVACP treatment in RH 40% air, respectively. The degradation kinetics of aflatoxin by HVACP treatment follows a logistic model. Higher degradation of aflatoxin was achieved in gas MA65, at higher relative humidities (40%, 80%). Direct or indirect HVACP treatment was equally effective in degrading aflatoxin in corn. Stirring the corn sample during HVACP treatment and post-treatment storage increased aflatoxin degradation in corn by HVACP treatment.