Effect of gamma radiation on sensorial properties, water activity and rice mycobiota

Abstract

Introduction: Fungal contamination often occurs in rice after the harvest. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi that are considered toxic to humans and animals and cause serious target-organ injury, as hepatic cancer. Objective: The aim in this study was to determine the effect of gamma radiation on fungal decontamination, evaluate changes on the sensorial properties and on the water activity (Aw) values of grains. Methods: Samples of rice were irradiated at dose of 2 and 4 kGy and in Potato and Dichloran glycerol agar. Results: All control groups of the samples were contaminated with different genera of fungi, mainly husked rice, comparing to polished rice. The presence of toxigenic fungi in samples represents a potential risk to mycotoxins forming. Conclusion: The treatment with dose of 2 and 4 kGy eliminated the fungal contamination, ensuring the product quality without significantly changes in sensorial properties.