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Yepez X, Illera AE, Baykara H, Keener K. Recent Advances and Potential Applications of Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma Technology for Sustainable Food Processing. Foods 2022; 11:foods11131833. [PMID: 35804648 PMCID: PMC9265751 DOI: 10.3390/foods11131833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In a circular economy, products, waste, and resources are kept in the system as long as possible. This review aims to highlight the importance of cold plasma technology as an alternative solution to some challenges in the food chain, such as the extensive energy demand and the hazardous chemicals used. Atmospheric cold plasma can provide a rich source of reactive gas species such as radicals, excited neutrals, ions, free electrons, and UV light that can be efficiently used for sterilization and decontamination, degrading toxins, and pesticides. Atmospheric cold plasma can also improve the utilization of materials in agriculture and food processing, as well as convert waste into resources. The use of atmospheric cold plasma technology is not without challenges. The wide range of reactive gas species leads to many questions about their safety, active life, and environmental impact. Additionally, the associated regulatory approval process requires significant data demonstrating its efficacy. Cold plasma generation requires a specific reliable system, process control monitoring, scalability, and worker safety protections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Yepez
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Ciencias de la Producción, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador;
- Correspondence:
| | - Alba E. Illera
- Faculty of Science, University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain;
| | - Haci Baykara
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica y Ciencias de la Producción, Campus Gustavo Galindo Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador;
- Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, ESPOL, Center of Nanotechnology Research and Development (CIDNA), Campus Gustavo Galindo, Km 30.5 Vía Perimetral, P.O. Box 09-01-5863, Guayaquil 090902, Ecuador
| | - Kevin Keener
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
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