sanitized grains were soaked in water (1:3 w/v) for 24 h and the water was drained off. soaked grains were allowed to germinate in darkness for 48 h. rice grains were sampled at 0, 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 h during germination. germinated grains were placed in aluminum trays and dried to less than 13% moisture content at 50 using a tray dryer.