Changes in microbial and chemical properties of rough rice treated with cold plasma by storage temperatures and periods

Abstract

Cold plasma (CP) was applied to examine microbial safety and physicochemical properties of rough rice. CP was generated in a square-shaped plastic container (250 W, 15 kHz, ambient air) and dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment was applied for periods of 0, 10, and 20 min during 2 weeks at 4 and 25 °C. As a result of observing changes in growth of microorganisms, 3.46-3.86 log CFU/g of total aerobic bacteria and 2.27-2.86 log CFU/g of mold were detected in the early stage of storage. Hie growth of total aerobic bacteria and mold was increased depending on the storage temperature and period, but there was no big difference between cultivars. Microbial analysis after storage showed that microorganisms of plasma-treated group were less grown approximately 1.50 log CFU/g. Moisture content of rough rice was decreased by storage temperature and periods. As for the amylose content, changes in the content by plasma were not observed in Samkwang, Cheongpum and Msomi, whereas Palbangmi showed a tendency to increase. The results of this study indicated that CP treatment improved the microbial quality of rough rice, but further studies should be conducted to reduce the deterioration of sensory quality induced by CP.