Benzo[α]pyrene (BaP), a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is ubiquitous in nature. It is generally found in heat-treated foods like roasted sesame seeds. BaP degradation has attracted attention due to the recalcitrant nature of BaP. In this study, corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ) was used to degrade BaP on glass slides and in food materials. The plasma discharges were generated using air as working gas under atmospheric pressure conditions and at different currents (1.00, 1.25, and 1.50 A). Optimal BaP degradation was observed upon using CDPJ generated at 1.50 A current and at 15 mm sample-to-electrode distance (STED). Under these conditions, initial BaP concentration on slides was reduced maximally by 87.09% in 30 min. The degradation kinetics were well-fitted by Weibull tail model compared with others. In food commodities (roasted sesame and perilla seeds), the average levels of BaP degradation ranged between 32.96-45.90% following CDPJ treatment for 30 min.

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
    Chemicals and reagents
    Food commodities
    Corona discharge plasma jet (CDPJ)
    Degradation of benzo(a)pyrene on glass slides using CDPJ
    Quantitation of benzo(a)pyrene
    Degradation amount and modeling of degradation
    BaP in food materials and its degradation by CDPJ
    Quantification of BaP in food samples
    Statistical analysis
Results and Discussion
    Effect of sample-to-electrode distance and current on BaP degradation
    Kinetics of BaP degradation
    BaP degradation in food materials
Summary
References

• Taehoon Lee(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Pradeep Puligundla(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University)
• Chulkyoon Mok(Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Gachon University) Corresponding author