<scp>Evaluation</scp> Of the Decontamination Performance of Corn Kernels Treated Using a Conveyor‐Belt‐Based Surface Discharge Plasma Array

ABSTRACT To meet the need for continuous decontamination in grain logistics, we developed a conveyor‐belt‐based surface discharge plasma array system. Key electrode‐structure parameters were determined using COMSOL electrostatic‐field simulations. The discharge characteristics were evaluated by voltage–current waveform and breakdown‐voltage measurements. Gas‐phase reactive species were identified by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Corn kernels artificially inoculated with Escherichia coli were used as model samples. Decontamination performance was quantified through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assays and bacterial plate counts. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing was performed to examine plasma‐induced changes in the native bacterial community. The results showed that the system generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in air, including N 2 O 5 , O 3 , N 2 O, and HNO 3 . The temperature in the plasma treatment zone was approximately 37°C across all discharge units, indicating that thermal effects were negligible. Decontamination performance decreased with increasing treatment distance but improved with longer exposure time, reaching reductions of 88.14% in ATP levels and 99.14% in culturable bacteria after 10 min. With increasing discharge power, both ATP levels and culturable bacterial counts decreased. However, the marginal decontamination benefit tended to saturate at higher power, and energy efficiency continuously declined, suggesting a trade‐off between decontamination performance and energy consumption. 16S rDNA analysis showed reduced community richness and a pronounced restructuring of the community composition after plasma treatment. This study elucidated the interactions between plasma and corn kernel surfaces and confirmed the feasibility of using a conveyor‐belt‐based plasma array for continuous decontamination in agricultural and grain‐processing applications.