Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Physicochemical Properties of Brown Rice

Abstract

Abstract Brown rice was exposed to 60Co source at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 kGy doses and the effect of gamma irradiation treatment on physicochemical properties were investigated. L* value of brown rice was decreased with increase of irradiation dose, whereas a* and b* values increased. The results showed the decrease of kernel hardness, amylose content and pasting properties considerably with irradiation treatment. A-type diffraction pattern was observed in non-irradiated and irradiated rice samples and crystallinity was decreased with irradiation dose. Raman spectrometry showed the decrease of Raman band intensity at higher irradiation doses. Thermal properties of rice samples were decreased slightly after irradiation treatment. Pearson’s correlation studies revealed that irradiation dose was positively correlated with b* value and negatively correlated with amylose content and pasting properties.