Study of the effect of plasma jet on Fusarium isolates with ability to produce DON toxins

Introduction: Fusarium species cause a variety of infections in humans, such as superficial, invasive and disseminated infections. The aim of this research is to study the effects of argon cold double atmospheric pressure plasma (DAPACP) on deactivating the cells or Fusarium spores which can seriously damage food products in vitro conditions.& para;& para;Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained from May 2015 to September 2016 during three cultivation periods of tea in Gilan and Mazandaran province. One sample was taken from each 50 square hectares of tea plantations prepared for harvesting and also from 60 tea manufacturers. At intervals of 3, 7 and 15 days, plates were studied and the colonies on each plate were identified and isolated and then their microscopic and also macroscopic properties were documented. Finally 150 colonies were selected. We prepared Czapek and liquid environments (Czpk), then the isolated samples were cultured using stab. Plasma system is a DAPACP system (AL2O3) which used a high voltage with 25KHZ frequency and is usually applied to a high voltage electrode.& para;& para;Results: The amount and type of toxins in the environment with fixed toxicity vary . In the metabolic cycle, DON (deoxynivalenol) is first produced and then is metabolized in a few steps. Plasma jet treatment causes a relative reduction in concentration of DON per solvent volume or culture media; a statistically significant negative correlation is observed here. The negative correlation between DON, which has been measured in samples previously exposed to plasma jet for 60 seconds, is affected by plasma jet more than DON. Therefore, Z = -2 / 201, Sig = 0.028 is proven, and it occurs with more intensity compared to DON.& para;& para;Conclusion: This study has confirmed that argon plasma jet system has destructive effects on mycotoxins such as DON and also on the microorganisms which produce mycotoxins. Although the physicochemical properties and structural changes of mycotoxins were not explained under plasma jet treatment, this study revealed that the plasma system needs certain conditions like time and toxin concentration of food, to remove and inactivate mycotoxins.