Post-harvest kernel discoloration and fungi activity in long-grain hybrid, pureline and medium-grain rice cultivars as influenced by storage environment and antifungal treatment

Abstract

Milled rice grade is diminished as the quantity of discolored kernels increases. This study evaluated the magnitude of kernel discoloration and relationship to fungal growth for long-grain hybrid (XL 753), long-grain pureline (Roy J.) and medium-grain (Titan) rice, exposed to storage moisture contents (MCs) of 16 and 21%, wet basis, temperatures of 20, 30, 40 °C, and durations up to 16 weeks. Impact of postharvest treatments with the antifungal agents, natamycin and sodium chloride, on rice discoloration and fungal growth was compared with untreated (control) samples. Subsamples were taken every four weeks to determine total fungal counts, discoloration, and water activity. Rice stored at 40 °C had six-to eleven-times more discoloration than at 20 °C. Increased storage duration significantly increased discoloration. Discoloration was not different between MC levels. Discoloration was significantly lower by sodium chloride treatment, while natamycin was not effective compared to control. Rice samples treated with sodium chloride also had significantly less water activity (mean aw = 0.73) compared to samples treated with natamycin (mean = 0.84) and control samples (mean = 0.83). Hybrid rice had significantly less discoloration compared to pureline and medium-grain. Fungal counts were similar across all cultivars. Increasing temperature and duration decreased fungal count. An inverse relation between fungi and discoloration suggests microbe activities did not explain discoloration. The findings provide important information to growers and processors on conditions necessary to maintain rice quality.