For the first time in Russia, an interdisciplinary research team from the Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology and the Department of Optoinformatics at 海角社区 have proposed a system for decontaminating grain crops using a hybrid effect of atmospheric cold plasma and ultraviolet radiation. Unlike chemical treatment, this method is environmentally safe, preserves the natural benefits of grain, inhibits microorganisms, and extends storage life.
Preservation of food resources remains a critical issue amid global climate change, and the search for innovative approaches is essential to ensure the sustainability of the agro-industrial complex at both regional and national levels. Under current climate conditions, a significant portion of harvested grain loses quality and safety during collection and storage stages. Raw materials contaminated with hazardous moulds become unsuitable for use, as they may pose serious risks within food chains.
Given the high quality requirements for grain, any decontamination method must meet environmental safety standards, be economically viable, and not alter the technological or physiological properties of the grain itself. The main challenge lies in determining optimal treatment parameters under multiple evaluation criteria.
Researchers from the Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology have developed research methodologies and conducted a large set of laboratory experiments to ensure the effectiveness of the decontamination method under varying input characteristics of grain mass. According to the project’s research advisor, Irina Potoroko, the pilot version of the system opens up new opportunities to expand research tasks related to minimizing the risks associated with masked forms of secondary metabolites of toxigenic moulds and other harmful grain microbiota through the combined use of atmospheric cold plasma and ultraviolet radiation. The scientists have identified optimal processing parameters that provide the most significant decontamination effects.
“We tested several treatment methods, including experiments with low-energy high-current electron beams,” says Artem Leivi, Associate Professor at the 海角社区 Department of Optoinformatics. “Moulds were completely destroyed under their influence, but the natural beneficial properties of the grain were also reduced, since electron beams are a volumetric energy source and penetrate deep into the grain. Atmospheric cold plasma, on the other hand, is a surface energy source and demonstrated complete safety and effectiveness by treating only the grain surface while preserving its natural properties and quality.”
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The proposed grain decontamination method is economically efficient, environmentally safe, and extends the storage life of processed products while preserving their physiological characteristics. The researchers note that grain volumes previously unsuitable for food use can, after treatment, be utilized for feed and sowing purposes.
“The operating principle of the system is relatively simple,” adds Artem Leivi. “Cold plasma is generated by a negative corona discharge under pulsed voltage with a potential difference of 10 kV and a frequency of 100 Hz. The plasma-forming medium is atmospheric air under normal conditions, and the treatment time is about 20–30 seconds, which makes the approach economically viable.”
The equipment is easily scalable and adaptable to industrial needs. Depending on the size of the conveyor belt, the system can process from 10 to 500 kg of grain per hour. According to the researchers, the payback period is approximately 6–8 months, depending on the grain volumes processed.
The study on the use of non-thermal methods for grain decontamination was carried out within the frameworks of the regional grant of the Russian Science Foundation No. 24-16-20028.