Foods (Oct 2024)

Ozonation of Popcorn Kernels: Saturation Kinetics at Different Specific Flow Rates, Control of <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> Infection, and Grain Quality Analysis

  • Marcus Vinícius Assis Silva,
  • Lêda Rita D’Antonino Faroni,
  • Ernandes Rodrigues de Alencar,
  • José Marcelo Soriano Viana,
  • Eugénio da Piedade Edmundo Sitoe,
  • Davi Vittorazzi Salvador,
  • Vivaldo Mason Filho,
  • Carollayne Gonçalves Magalhães

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13203301
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 20
p. 3301

Abstract

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Ozone gas (O3) is a promising alternative for fungal inactivation in agricultural commodities. This study aimed to (i) investigate the influence of airflow on the saturation of popcorn kernels with ozone gas, (ii) evaluate its effectiveness in controlling Aspergillus flavus, and (iii) analyze the quality of ozonated grains. Samples of 3.0 kg of kernels were exposed to oxygen (control) or ozone at specific flow rates of 0.15 or 1.00 m3 min−1 t−1, with an input ozone concentration of 16.0 mg L−1 for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, or 48 h. Quality parameters assessed included expansion volume, water content, electrical conductivity, and color. At 0.15 m3 min−1 t−1, ozone consumption and saturation time were lower, with an 80% reduction in A. flavus infection after 6 h. This flow rate did not affect grain expansion or water content. Conversely, at 1.0 m3 min−1 t−1, reductions in water content and expansion were observed with extended exposure. Electrical conductivity increased in both treatments, more significantly at the lower flow rate. In conclusion, ozonation at 0.15 m3 min−1 t−1 effectively inactivated A. flavus without compromising grain quality.

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