LOW-ENERGY-ELECTRON EFFECTS ON THE STERILITY AND VISCOSITY OF GRAINS

Microbial load and viscosity of brown rice, rough rice, wheat and buck wheat exposed to electrons at different acceleration voltages were exa mined and compared with those irradiated with gamma-rays. Electrons at acceleration voltages of 180-225 kV reduced microbial loads of grains to <100 CFU/g. The viscosities of aqueous suspensions of grains treat ed with such low-energy electrons were almost the same or higher than those irradiated with gamma-rays at 0.1 kGy, much lower than necessary to disinfect grains. Results suggest that low-energy electrons can de contaminate grains with little starch degradation compared to gamma-ra ys.