3.3. Low-pressure plasma increases a-amylase activity of germinated
brown rice
Activity of a-amylase measured in plasma-exposed brown rice
revealed significantly higher values than unexposed controls in
most stages of germination (Fig. 3). Activity of a-amylase significantly
increased at 24 h of germination, with a maximum value
162% higher than unexposed controls after a 3-kV exposure. a-
Amylase is responsible for the degradation of the food reserves of
seedlings during germination. Static magnetic treatment (50 and
200 mT for 2 h) also increased the activity of a-amylase of