From Wasted by-product to Superfood
The term “superfood” is a fairly new term referring to foods that offer maximum nutritional benefits for minimal calories. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Most superfoods are plant-based.
What is Rice Bran?
Rice Bran is the thin layer between the inner rice grain and the outer hull and includes the rice germ.
Rice Kernel
Rice Bran including the germ comprises just 8% of total weight of a rice kernel but accounts for 60% of the nutrients found in each rice kernel.
Unprocessed Rice
Unmilled Rice
Milled Rice
Rice Milling Process
Milled rice is further polished by additional milling steps to make it look whiter which is eventually high in Carbohydrates (Starch).
Once the outer husk is removed and the bran layer is exposed, the rice grain will start to degrade. This is due to rapid hydrolysis of Lipase naturally present in rice grain generating free fatty acids (FFA). FFA accelerates rice bran oil quality degradation by producing off-flavors, off-odors and other oxidation products. Rice Bran contains 10 - 23% rice bran oil.
To prevent the rice grain from degradation, the rice bran is milled thereby allowing rice to be stored safely for long durations.
The milled Rice bran itself will continue to degrade as soon as it is milled due to rapid hydrolysis of Lipase naturally present in the rice grain generating free fatty acids (FFA) as explained earlier.
Rice bran is a by-product of the rice milling process. Rice bran gets rancidifed as mentioned earlier and therefore is only used as animal feed by adding it to feed pellets since animals can digest it and it has high nutritional value.
Rice bran is used in animal feed pellets
In order for humans to consume rice bran, it needs to be stabilized to minimize hydrolysis of Lipase by inactivating endogenous Lipase prior to use or storage.
Rice Bran is rich in Natural antioxidants such as Gama-oryzanol, Tocopherols and Tocotrienols. It is also an excellent source of Protein, Dietary Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Vitamin B6 and Essential Fatty Acids. Rice bran is naturally gluten-free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians.