Effect of dielectric barrier discharge - assisted atmospheric pressure cold plasma treatment on physiochemical characteristics of barley (Hordium vulgare)

The potential of dielectric barrier discharge-assisted atmospheric pressure cold plasma (DBD-ACP) treatment to change the technological characteristics of barley grains has been investigated at this study. Regarding, whole barley grains exposed to DBD-ACP treatment at intensities of 50 kV/ 5 min, 50 kV/ 10 min, 60 kV/ 5 min and 60 kV/10 min which are named as S1, S2, S3 and S4 respectively and their hydration, thermal and structural characteristics were characterized and compared with the control sample. Results indicated decrease in oil holding capacity by increasing the intensity of DBD-ACP treatment. Also, an increase in hydration characteristics of barley grains have been reported in terms of water holding capacity, water solubility index, water absorption index and swelling power. As demonstrated, increasing the intensity of DBD-ACP treatment increased thermal properties of barley flour in terms of onset temperature, peak temperature and conclusion temperature. However, a significant decrease in gelatinization enthalpies (ΔH) of barley flour by increasing the intensity of DBD-ACP treatment has also been observed. Microstructral analysis and functional group assessment verify the structural impacts (fragmentation, conformational change or crosslink formation) of active species induced by DBD-ACP treatment which consequently change the technological characteristics of barley flour on the basis of their intensities.