Effect of microwave energy on grain quality of four Spanish rice varieties

A microwave system can be used as an alternative method to methyl bromide to control rice storage pests. Four rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) grown in Spain (‘Bomba’, ‘Senia’, ‘Puntal’ and ‘Thainato’) were irradiated with three levels of microwave energy (0, 70 and 100 J g–1). Rice quality attributes were analysed to establish hypothetical quality changes in order to use microwave energy as an alternative method to control pests. Results of the factorial analysis showed that the analysed attributes differed more within varieties than among microwave treatments of the varieties, except for ‘Thainato’ which, after applying microwave energy of 100 J g–1, presented a different adhesiveness from the other two treatments determined by factor 1 and ‘Puntal’ treated with microwaves presented a different water uptake and loss of solids in cooking water determined by factor 3 than the control. The increase in hardness and decrease in adhesiveness as a consequence of the microwave treatment could possibly damage rice quality. This aspect must be taken into account with this method. In conclusion, microwave energy can be used as an alternative method of insect control because it does not seriously affect rice quality. Microwave treatments did not leave undesirable residues and could be as effective at controlling insect infestation as any procedure currently available.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Castell Zeising, Vicente, Martínez Gascueña, Jesús, Marzal, Antonio, Osca Lluch, José María, Benedito Mengod, Carmen, Balbastre Tejedor, Vicente
Other Authors:	Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (España)
Format:	artículo biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	CSIC - Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) 2005
Subjects:	Desinsectation; Grain quality attributes; Oryza sativa,
Online Access:	http://hdl.handle.net/10261/227040 http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100006280
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!