biostudies-literatureLiu SChina Postdoctoral Science FoundationSenior Talent Program of Jiangsu UniversityCross-Innovation Open Project of Food Flavor and Health, Beijing Technology & Business University2999https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12428716biostudies-literatureUnknown14(17)Growing global concerns over pesticide residues and microbial contamination in plant-derived foods have intensified the demand for sustainable decontamination solutions. Conventional physical, chemical, and biological methods are hampered by inherent limitations, including operational inefficiency, secondary pollution risks, and nutritional degradation. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) has emerged as a promising non-thermal technology to address these challenges at near-ambient temperatures, leveraging the generation of highly reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS), ultraviolet radiation, and ozone. This review comprehensively examines fundamental ACP mechanisms, discharge configurations, and their applications within plant-based food safety systems. It critically evaluates recent advancemenFoods (Basel, Switzerland)Advances in Atmospheric Cold Plasma Technology for Plant-Based Food Safety, Functionality, and Quality Implications.PMC12428716No.20JDG0742023M731390FFHCI-2025019Yang ZHuang JZhou CHuang HLiu SYang DSun JfalseAdvances in Atmospheric Cold Plasma Technology for Plant-Based Food Safety, Functionality, and Quality Implications.Growing global concerns over pesticide residues and microbial contamination in plant-derived foods have intensified the demand for sustainable decontamination solutions. Conventional physical, chemical, and biological methods are hampered by inherent limitations, including operational inefficiency, secondary pollution risks, and nutritional degradation. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) has emerged as a promising non-thermal technology to address these challenges at near-ambient temperatures, leveraging the generation of highly reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS), ultraviolet radiation, and ozone. This review comprehensively examines fundamental ACP mechanisms, discharge configurations, and their applications within plant-based food safety systems. It critically evaluates recent advancemen2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-04-08T19:36:49.934Z2026-04-08T13:55:28.29ZS-EPMC124287164094111510.3390/foods14172999