title: Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus on agar media and brown rice cereal bars using cold atmospheric plasma treatment.
abstract: This study aimed to optimize the operating parameters of cold atmospheric plasma treatment to inhibit the growth of Aspergillus flavus on agar media and brown rice cereal bars. The effects of argon plasma jet treatment on the growth of A. flavus on malt extract agar (MEA) at powers of 20 W and 40 W with exposure times at 5, 15 and 25 min were studied using response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite face-centered (CCF) design. Multiple regression analysis indicated that plasma treatment at 40 W for 25 min is most effective for inhibiting growth of A. flavus on the agar medium. On brown rice cereal bars, plasma powered at 40 W for 20 min was capable of giving protection against A. flavus growth for up to 20 days under storage conditions of 25°C and 100% RH. These results demonstrated the potential of cold atmospheric plasma jet treatment to control mold growth on various food products.
authors.affiliation: Food Science and Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kitiya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suhem
authors.forename: Narumol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matan
authors.forename: Mudtorlep
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nisoa
authors.forename: Nirundorn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Matan
mesh_terms: D000362:Agar; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001128:Argon / Q000494:pharmacology; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D005516:Food Microbiology / Q000379:methods*; D012275:Oryza / Q000382:microbiology*; D058626:Plasma Gases / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D058626:Plasma Gases; D001128:Argon; D000362:Agar