Decontamination of aflatoxin producing fungi on agriculture products by atmospheric glow discharge plasma

Abstract

Fungal contaminations on agricultural products have been a detrimental problem especially for agro-industrial country like Thailand. Such contamination could lead to economic instability and decremental of product quality. Some species of fungi can develop Aflatoxin; this severe toxin is poisonous to consumer as well as livestock. Reduction of pathogenic microorganism is crucial. A good method to decontaminate toxic fungi is to reduce the amount of viability toxin producing fungal spore from the beginning of food chain in the raw material and agricultural products. This paper study the ability of constructed one-atmospheric glow discharge plasma on a reduction of contaminated aflatoxin producing fungi from agricultural products. Plasmsa was generated at low frequency in the range of 400-800 Hz and applying the voltage at 30 kV. Experimental test have been carried out with 4 kinds of commonly found agricultural products which are; corn, bean, garlic, and shallot. Prior to the test, there were number of naturally contaminated fungi and it was counted to 380, 510, 710 and 7Ó104 CFU/g, respectively. After the test, it was found that corn and bean can be sterilized and the total mold was completely reduced. In the case of garlic and shallot, the amount of fungi was reduced but still remained at 97 and 2Ó104 CFU/g, respectively. Apart from agricultural products, the method of one-atmospheric glow discharge plasma can sterilize the Aspergillus flavus spores specie that is coated on a glass bead with the ability to inoculate of approximately 1.8Ó107 CFU/g within less than 30 minutes.