Pulsed plasma treatment is an effective method for sterilizing packaged cut vegetables. Conventional sterilization methods using chemical disinfectants raise concerns regarding chemical residues and the risk of re-contamination before packaging, both of which are undesirable from the consumer perspective. In contrast, pulsed plasma can achieve in-package sterilization, and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other active substances generated during the treatment, such as ozone, decompose within a certain period and do not remain in the package. However, the influence of pulsed plasma treatment on vegetable quality remains an important issue for practical application.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pulsed plasma treatment on the color quality of packaged cut cabbage, with particular focus on whether double-sided treatment could alleviate quality deterioration compared with single-sided treatment. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the color parameters L*, a*, and b* of cabbage leaves during one week of storage, and the total color difference ΔE was calculated to assess quality changes after treatment. Different treatment conditions were compared, including single-sided treatments at 50, 100, and 500 shots, and double-sided treatments at 2 × 25 and 2 × 50 shots. The results showed that the total color difference ΔE gradually increased with storage time in all treated samples. However, under comparable treatment levels, double-sided treatment tended to reduce the extent of color change compared with single-sided treatment, indicating a mitigation of quality damage. In addition, higher total treatment numbers, especially 500 shots, caused more pronounced color deterioration. These findings suggest that distributing the plasma treatment over both sides of the sample is beneficial for reducing localized damage and alleviating color fading of cabbage leaves.
By clarifying the color changes of packaged cut cabbage after single-sided and double-sided pulsed plasma treatments, this study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing treatment configurations to reduce quality deterioration while maintaining sterilization performance. The results offer practical guidance for the development of pulsed plasma technology for the post-harvest preservation of fresh agricultural products.
 

Pulsed plasma; Color quality; Double-sided treatmnt; Cut vegetables; In-packaging