Rice bran has received increased attention
as a feedstuff for swine and as a
source of oil for human consumption. Depending
on milling conditions and hull
contamination, bran from California rice
contains 15 to 20 percent oil, 30 to 40 percent
digestible carbohydrate, and 12 to 14
percent protein, although levels of up to
18 percent protein have been reported.
Rice bran is also an excellent source of
vitamins and minerals. Two problems
may be encountered, however, when feeding
rice bran to swine: (1) It contains high
levels of phytic acid; levels of 5 percent or
more have been reported. (2) Milling activates
an enzyme system that rapidly degrades
the oil to free fatty acids and glycerol