Research Projects

India, with its vast arable land resources, is a major producer of various crops, including spices, pulses, milk, tea, cashew, and jute. However, concerns over food quality, particularly mycotoxins like aflatoxin, have led to concerns about the health effects of these contaminants. Aflatoxin, a carcinogenic mycotoxin, is found in wheat, rice, milk products, cereal products, chilli, and groundnuts. A report from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-Lucknow states that 21% of groundnuts in India are unfit for use due to aflatoxin contamination. To address this issue, the proposal proposes the development of a novel atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasma reactor to prevent aflatoxin in agricultural food products. The technology will operate at atmospheric pressure, making it commercially viable. The project will optimize processing using a hybrid approach, including plasma characterization and reactive species quantification. The project will also study the effect of plasma exposure on food product nutritional quality. The project will collaborate with Renuka Bio Farm LLP to conduct in-field investigations. The outcome will benefit both farmers and consumers by offering efficient decontamination and removal of aflatoxin, establishing nonthermal plasma technology as a green alternative for agriculture and food processing in India.