Cold Plasma for Fungal and Mycotoxin Control in Low-Moisture-Content Agri-Food Products: Mechanisms and Applications

Fungal and mycotoxin contamination can occur during multiple stages of low-moisture-content (LMC) agri-food products production, processing, and storage, posing severe threats to global food safety and trade exchanges. Therefore, its effective decontamination is a critical measure for ensuring food safety and public health. In recent years, plasma technology, as a promising solution, has been widely applied in food and agricultural processing fields due to its advantages of low cost, simple operation, high efficiency, and minimal residue. This review outlines the key factors influencing the generation, migration, and interaction of cold plasma, including plasma excitation conditions, environmental conditions, and sample characteristics. Furthermore, it elucidates the efficacy and mechanisms of plasma treatment in inactivating fungi and degrading mycotoxins. The latest decontamination applications of plasma technology across diverse LMC agri-food products are comprehensively analyzed, alongside their impact on product quality properties. Synergistic approaches combining plasma with other technologies are also evaluated to highlight their comparative advantages. Finally, the current limitations of the technology are critically analyzed, and a forward-looking perspective is provided by outlining its prospects and proposing constructive suggestions. This review aims to assist researchers in comprehensively understanding the mechanisms of plasma technology and its recent advances in practical applications, highlighting its feasibility and prospects in the food processing field, thereby promoting its transition beyond laboratory constraints toward large-scale industrial implementation.