Atmospheric pressure nonthermal pin to plate plasma system for the microbial decontamination of oat milk

This study investigates the potential of a pin to plate atmospheric plasma on the microbial decontamination of oat milk along with the changes in the physicochemical, rheological, functional, and particle morphology. As cold plasma comprises reactive species, and free radicals tend to rupture the microbial cells, microbial reduction in the oat milk is expected. Extracted oat milk (14.03 ± 0.67% solids) is treated with plasma input voltages of 170–230 V for an exposure time of 5–15 min. The treated milk is analyzed for the effect of plasma treatment on microbial reduction, physicochemical properties (total soluble solids [TSS], pH, titratable acidity [TA], color, and total protein content), viscosity, sedimentation index (SI), and the particle morphology. The highest microbial log reduction of 2.18 and 1.47 in bacteria and yeast and molds, respectively, is obtained at the intensive plasma treatment of 230 V and 15 min. With plasma treatment, TSS, TA, and SI are increased, whereas pH, total protein content, and viscosity are reduced. The modifications in the oat constituents and aggregate formations are the major causes of the observed results. This proves that cold plasma is a prospective decontamination technique for a plant-based milk analog. Novelty impact statement Microbial decontamination of oat-milk through nonthermal cold plasma technology has never been explored. The physicochemical alteration, color, and rheological parameters have been extensively studied in the current study. Microbial reduction of up to 2 logs was obtained at 230 V treatment of 15 min without changing the fluidity of the oat milk.