Effects of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma on the rheological properties of gum Arabic

The main focus of current research was on the effect of cold atmospheric-pressure plasma (CAP) on the rheological properties of gum Arabic (GA). GA powder was treated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma with ambient air at different times (20, 40, and 60 min). The rheological properties of both natural and treated-gum dispersions were specified. The results showed the CAP treatment time had a notable and non-linear effect on the rheological parameters of the treated gums. Compared with control, all treated-gum dispersions showed higher apparent viscosity within the applied shear rate range (0.01?400 s-1). The highest viscosity (50 s-1) belonged to the dispersion of the gum treated for 20 min. CAP treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the shear-thinning behavior of the treated-gum dispersions. Power-law was the best model for describing the flow behavior of natural GA and treated-gum dispersions. The obtained dynamic rheological parameters (G? and tan ?) revealed that CAP treatment reinforced the elastic properties of treated-gum dispersions, and the shortest treatment time, 20 min, was more effective in this case. Overall, it was found that the CAP-treated gums by strengthening the elastic features of dispersions could be obtained for new applications in the production of foodstuffs especially beverages.