Degradation of mycotoxins using microwave-induced argon plasma at atmospheric pressure

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungi causing health problems in humans, animals and agricultural products. Therefore, the inactivation or degradation of mycotoxins in contaminated foods and feedstuffs is a major global concern. This study was designed to investigate the degradation of three different mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) by using our self-designed microwave-induced argon plasma system at atmospheric pressure. After plasma treatment, the remnants of mycotoxins were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography and their cytotoxicity was assessed using mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. The mycotoxins, AFB1, DON, and NIV were completely removed after 5 s of plasma treatment. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of mycotoxins was significantly reduced with the progress in the treatment time. These results suggest that this plasma system may have strong potentials to degrade mycotoxins and can be effectively used in the process of foods and feedstuffs.