Versatile dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma for safety and quality control in fruits and vegetables products: Principles, configurations and applications.

It is well-known that fresh fruits and vegetables and their products are particularly susceptible to microbial contaminations. Seeking safer and more effective methods and technologies to extend the shelf life of these foods and ensure their safety is obviously important. This review comprehensively discusses the applications of versatile dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) cold plasma technology in the safety control and shelf-life extension of fruits and vegetables. The effectiveness of DBD cold plasma in microbial purification, the capacity for pesticide residue degradation, and the influence on the sensory and nutritional attributes of fruits and vegetables products are detailly reported. Additionally, the review discusses the challenges of scaling DBD from experimental setups to industrial applications, including technical hurdles, commercial feasibility, and the need for rigorous safety evaluations and monitoring protocols. This review aims to provide recommendations for the ongoing development of food safety and quality measures in the fresh fruits and vegetables and their processing products.