Germinated brown rice (GBR) is a functional food because it contains gamma amino butyric acid
(GABA) which has been reported to promote brain health. The GABA contents and physical
properties during germination of two Thai rice varieties, KDML 105 and Chainat 1, were
investigated at different times of germination (0-72 h) and temperature combination (25±1ºC).
GABA content increased dramatically consistent with soaking time. At 72 h of germination in a 50
L tank, the GABA contents were 73.05 and 92.42 mg/100 g. d.b., which were about 13 times higher
than in brown rice. Germination time affected darker-coloured grain and a linear relationship
between the length of the primary leaf and the GABA content was found. The qualities of cooked
rice in terms of water absorption increased, softer textural properties, the expansion ratio in length
and volumetric expansion were not significantly different (p>0.05), and the pasting properties of
flour decreased as the time of soaking increased were significantly different (p≤0.05) compared
with brown rice. The results suggest that germination time can improve nutritional and physical
properties in rice