Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science - An open access, peer reviewed international journal covering all aspects of Nutrition and Food Science

A Review on Cold Plasma Technology for Pesticide-Free Food Safety: Mechanisms, Efficiency, and Future Perspectives

Nosheen Amjad¹, Gulsah Karabulut², Calvin Ronchen Wei³, Muhammad Sadiq Naseer¹, Ali Imran⁴, Anamika Chauhan⁵, Fakhar Islam^1,4and Sunanda Biswas^6*

¹Department of Clinical Nutrition, Nur International University, Lahore, Pakistan.

²Department of Food Engineering Sakarya University,  Sakarya/Turkiye.

³Department of Research and Development, Shing Huei Group, Taipei, Taiwan.

⁴Department of Food Science, Government College, University Faisalabad, Pakistan

⁵Department of Home Science, Chaman Lal Mahavidyalay, Landhora, Haridwar, India.

⁶Department of Food and Nutrition, Acharya Prafulla Chandra College, Kolkata, India.

Corresponding Author E-mail: sunandafnt@gmail.com

Pesticides are essential in modern agriculture but often leave harmful residues on food, raising considerable health and environmental concerns. Cold plasma technology, initially developed for applications in the polymer and electronics industries, has emerged as an innovative non-thermal method with promising implications for enhancing food safety. Cold plasma, a quasi-neutral ionized gas, is generated under low-pressure conditions, creating a range of reactive species capable of degrading pesticide residues. Recent advancements now allow cold plasma to be produced at atmospheric pressure, expanding its potential applications and spurring extensive research into its efficacy. This technology offers a pesticide-free approach that not only prioritizes human health but also supports eco-friendly practices in line with sustainable agriculture principles. Cold plasma stands to significantly impact food safety by fostering healthier ecosystems and promoting a more balanced relationship between agriculture and nature. This review examines the effectiveness of cold plasma technology as a transformative tool for achieving pesticide-free food safety, detailing its mechanisms, efficacy, and future potential in reducing pesticide residues in agricultural products.

Cold Plasma; Food Safety; Pesticides; Eco-Friendly; Sustainable Agriculture

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