Evaluating the Toxicity of Cold Plasma-Treated Cashew Apple Juice

Cold plasma-treated foods and beverages are still prohibited from commercialization despite many studies showing the advantages of cold plasma processing in terms of sanitization and sensory and nutritional characteristics. Cold plasma treatment is an irradiation process, and as such, serious concerns exist regarding the safety of these foods and their adverse toxicological effects. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the toxic effects of cold plasma-treated cashew apple juice. Toxicological studies were conducted with Artemia salina instar II nauplii and zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae. The results indicated that plasma-treated cashew apple juice was considered nontoxic by three toxicological assays, one with A. salina and two with D. rerio. Thus, plasma-treated cashew apple juice is toxicologically safe for human consumption, once cold plasma processing has not produced substances at concentrations that could be harmful. This study contributes to understanding cold plasma processing technology and its toxicological effects toward building legislation that might allow its use for food processing.