Calcium fortification of milled rice by soaking and spraying
methods resulted in rice kernel of similar to normal unfortified
normal rice as for shape and size is concern but colour and textural
properties were found changed due to calcium fortification.
Spraying method resulted in relatively higher whiteness index and
hard texture of dried calcium fortified rice kernel than soakingmethod. Calcium content in dried fortified rice premix was found
increased with increasing level of calcium content in soaking or
spraying solution and soaking or tempering time. Whiteness index
of zein coated calcium fortified rice premix was lowest while
coating with HPMC exhibited the minimum hardness of calcium
fortified rice premix. Biopolymer coating of calcium fortified rice
kernel was found affective in reducing the leaching losses of calcium
in washing water. Retention of calcium after double washing
in distilled water was highest in calcium fortified rice premix
coated with zein (at 9% level) followed by the combination of HPMC
and MC at 2% level in coating solution. Calcium fortified cooked rice
prepared using biopolymer were also well accepted during sensory
evaluation and were comparable to unfortified cooked rice. Though
washing losses were lowest in zein coated rice but due to
comparatively higher mean overall acceptability score for HPMC
and MC coated rice, spraying of solution having calcium content as
120 mg per mL solution, 150 min tempering time and coating with
HPMC&MC (3:1; 2% in coating solution), followed by drying may be
considered for development of calcium fortified rice to enhance the
calcium intake amongst rice consumers, attaining the optimum
calcium nutrition and reducing the incidence of calcium deficiency
symptoms.