Uses and future prospects of cold plasma in agriculture

India has one of the largest food processing sectors in the world. The industry is growing towards convenience and convenience-oriented food products. The food production industry is looking for alternatives for toxic and chemical treatments and for improving the production of agricultural produce. Consumers demand minimally processed foods with low preservatives and improved food quality without compromising the nutritional and sensory qualities of food. This directed the attention of food professionals towards the development of non-thermal technologies that are green, safe, and environment-friendly. Non-thermal processing techniques have gained popularity in recent years for the food industry. Recently, cold plasma has been incorporated into the food industry. It is used to reduce microbial count, degrade mycotoxin, inactivate enzymes, and reduce pesticides and allergens in food products. It is also used to maintain bioactive compounds and enhance antioxidant activity. It has also been used in medical services, textiles, automotive industries, aerospace, electronics cleaning, and packaging materials. This review presents the utilization of cold plasma technology and plasma-activated water in agriculture for enhancing plant growth and seed germination. Its use for the remediation of soil and the decontamination of agricultural produce have been discussed. examines the impact of cold plasma on food compositional, organoleptic, and nutritional quality.