Use of Cold Atmospheric Plasma to Detoxify Hazelnuts from Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, can contaminate different foodstuffs, such as nuts. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma has the potential to be used for mycotoxin detoxification. In this study, the operating parameters of cold atmospheric pressure plasma were optimized to reduce the presence of aflatoxins on dehulled hazelnuts. First, the effect of different gases was tested (N(2), 0.1% O(2) and 1% O(2), 21% O(2)), then power (400, 700, 1000, 1150 W) and exposure time (1, 2, 4, and 12 min) were optimized. In preliminary tests on aflatoxin standard solutions, this method allowed to obtain a complete detoxification using a high power for a few minutes. On hazelnuts, in similar conditions (1000 W, 12 min), a reduction in the concentration of total aflatoxins and AFB(1) of over 70% was obtained. Aflatoxins B(1) and G(1) were more sensitive to plasma treatments compared to aflatoxins B(2) and G(2), respectively. Under plasma treatment, aflatoxin B(1) was more sensitive compared to aflatoxin G(1). At the highest power, and for the longest time, the maximum temperature increment was 28.9 °C. Cold atmospheric plasma has the potential to be a promising method for aflatoxin detoxification on food, because it is effective and it could help to maintain the organoleptic characteristics.