Rice color was measured using a LabScan XE HunterLab color meter (Hunter Associates Laboratory Inc., Reston, VA). The sample (5–6 g) was placed on a plastic tray and scanned by the color meter which directly displays the values of L*, a* and b* in the Hunter Lab color model. The L* values assess the degree of lightness to darkness, a* values correlate with the degree of redness to greenness, and b* values measure the extent of yellowness to blueness. Scanning electron micrographs of rice were obtained according to the method described by