The eliminatory effects of cold argon plasma jet on aflatoxin B1 produced by different isolates of Aspergillus section nigri

Aflatoxin and ochratoxin are among the most resistant and severe toxins produced by Aspergillus spp. The aim of this study was an evaluation of eliminatory effects of cold argon plasma jet on aflatoxin B1. Sampling of wheat, corn, oatmeal, flour and rice products from northern cities of Iran was carried out. The fungal species were cultured on CHAPK medium and next to sabouraud dextrose broth + malt extract (SB + ME) and also SB + yeast extract (SB + YE) media to obtain aflatoxin B1. The ELISA test was conducted to measure the aflatoxin level. The mean initial concentration of the aflatoxin from charts analysis in the SB +ME medium was 16.106 μg / kg (10.4, 8.32 and 7.55 μg / kg at 30, 60 and 360 sec, respectively), and in the SB +YE medium from 23.699 μg / kg (12.82, 9.93 and 9.54 μg / kg, respectively), at the same time. Furthermore, the mean concentrations of aflatoxin B1 by tables analysis in the SB+ ME medium changed from 20.02 μg / kg to 6.87, 10.46 and 7.55 μg / kg, at 30, 60 and 360 sec, respectively, and in the medium SB +YE from 28.85 μg / kg reached 6.56.6, 8.43 and 7.02 μg / kg, respectively, at the same time. In this study, the change or decrease in the concentration of aflatoxin B1, from Lin/Log and Log/Lin analyses of charts was significant (p<0.05) at 60 s and 360 s of application of the cold argon plasma jet in both media. The cold plasma as a new technology in various fields of food and agriculture can provide effective and suitable solutions in order to promote the goals of food industry, especially in the areas of mycotoxin elimination.