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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Impact of cold plasma treatment on aflatoxin decontamination, nutritional quality and fatty acid composition of ground nuts

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.14864
Submitted
6 April 2026
Published
10-09-2026 — Updated on 30-09-2026
Versions

Abstract

Abstract

Aflatoxin contamination continues to pose a serious concern in ground nuts by compromising food safety, nutrient integrity and commercial quality. The present study explored the potential of cold plasma (CP), a non-thermal and residue-free treatment, to reduce aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) while enhancing the nutritional composition and bioactive properties of ground nuts. Groundnut samples were artificially inoculated with Aspergillus flavus (A.flavus) and exposed to cold plasma treatment at 20, 25 and 30 kV for durations ranging from 1–15 min following a completely randomised experimental design, while untreated samples served as the control. Cold plasma exposure significantly decreased AFB1 levels, achieving a maximum degradation of approximately 80–82 % at 30 kV for 15 min, thereby reducing toxin concentrations to internationally accepted safety limits. Furthermore, cold plasma treatment enhanced the bioactive profile of ground nuts, resulting in a               21.02 % increase in total phenolic content at 30 kV for 10 min and a 21.96 % increase in total flavonoid content at 20 kV for 15 min compared with the untreated control. Fatty acid profiling revealed selective modifications, including increase in certain saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and variable changes in monounsaturated oleic acid, suggesting plasma-induced lipid restructuring. Overall, these results emphasise the potential of cold plasma as an advanced post-harvest approach for enhancing the safety, quality and industrial value of ground nuts.

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