Rice grain quality denotes different properties to different
groups in post-harvest systems1. Surprisingly,
in this small grain, many important nutrients are
present that have potential functional food benefits.
Carbohydrates represent the majority of the nutrient
found in white polished grain, but proteins, vitamins B
and C, and many minerals are present in the embryo,
bran (pericarp) and husk. Furthermore, fat extracted
from the bran contains vitamin E, phytosterol, and
-oryzanol, an antioxidant used in many alternative
herbal therapies, inhibitor of gastric acid secretion,
antioxidant, and inhibitor of platelet aggregation preventing
heart attacks2. In addition, during malting,
as biochemical processes take place, carbohydrates
are converted to oligosaccharides and reducing sugars.
The digestion of grain protein results in amino acids,
peptides, and also in an accumulation of many nutrients
such as gamma oryzanol, tocopherol, tocotrienol,
and
-aminobutyric acid (GABA)3–6