review · Mycotoxin Research
Aflatoxins, including AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, and AFM1, are potent carcinogens that create severe risks for food safety and public health globally. Chronic dietary exposure leads to serious health issues such as liver cancer, suppressed immune function, and impaired growth. Traditional mitigation methods relying on chemical agents, physical separation, and biological breakdown frequently face limitations regarding safety, effectiveness, and food quality degradation. Cold plasma treatment has emerged as an alternative approach that produces reactive oxygen species to break down aflatoxins on food surfaces. This review examines existing detoxification strategies alongside the mechanisms of aflatoxin toxicity, highlighting the capability of cold plasma to degrade these toxins effectively while preserving the nutritional value and safety of treated foods.
Aflatoxin contamination in agricultural produce threatens food security and public health globally, with AFB1 classified as a known human carcinogen. Evaluating non-thermal processing solutions like cold plasma helps identify methods that neutralize hazardous toxins without reducing the nutritional value or quality of essential food supplies.
The technology could enable food processors and agricultural handlers to decontaminate surfaces without relying on harmful chemicals or quality-degrading heat. Because this work is a review outlining principles, toxicity mechanisms, and general applications, it reflects early-stage research rather than a validated industrial process ready for immediate deployment.
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Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens and pose significant risks to food safety and public health worldwide. Aflatoxins include Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Aflatoxin B2 (AFB2), Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), Aflatoxin G2 (AFG2), and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). AFB1 is particularly notorious for its carcinogenicity, classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Chronic exposure to aflatoxins through contaminated food and feed can lead to liver cancer, immunosuppression, growth impairment, and other systemic health issues. Efforts to mitigate aflatoxin contamination have traditionally relied on chemical treatments, physical separation methods, and biological degradation. However, these approaches often pose challenges related to safety, efficacy, and impact on food quality. Recently, cold plasma treatment has emerged as a promising alternative. Cold plasma generates reactive oxygen species, which effectively degrade aflatoxins on food surfaces without compromising nutritional integrity or safety. This review consolidates current research and advancements in aflatoxin detoxification, highlighting the potential of cold plasma technology to revolutionize food safety practices. By exploring the mechanisms of aflatoxin toxicity, evaluating existing detoxification methods, and discussing the principles and applications of cold plasma treatment.
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DOI: 10.1007/s12550-025-00582-5
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