The degradation of Alternaria mycotoxins by dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma

Abstract In the present study, dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma was explored to treat alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and the effect of mycotoxin states and plasma conditions on degradation were evaluated. The results showed that in either a solid state or aqueous solution, 100% AOH and AME were degraded within 180 s and 300 s, respectively. With the increase of voltage, both of AOH and AME degradation increased and reached nearly 100% at 30 kV and 40 kV, respectively. The degradation percentage of two mycotoxins was the highest (100%) in alkaline condition, but lower in neutral and acidic environment. In the presence of catalysts FeSO4 or H2O2, the time for complete degradation of both toxins was shortened. In conclusion, both mycotoxins could be effectively degraded by cold plasma and AOH was easier to be degraded than AME. Besides, the degradation of both toxins could be promoted by higher voltage, alkaline environment and catalysts FeSO4 and H2O2. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the removal of Alternaria mycotoxins from food systems and are useful for the investigation of the mechanisms involved in mycotoxin degradation by cold plasma.