Non-thermal plasma inhibited the growth and aflatoxins production of Aspergillus flavus, degraded aflatoxin B1 and its potential mechanisms

•Non-thermal plasma inactivates Aspergillus flavus spores with the Weibull + Tail model.•Non-thermal plasma induces cell apoptosis by the caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway.•Non-thermal plasma inhibits aflatoxin B1 production by modulating the expression of biosynthetic genes.•Non-thermal plasma can effectively degrade aflatoxin B1 in two pathways.