Milled Rice Research Articles

Perception and Knowledge of Rice Value Chain Actors on the Effect of Improved Practices on Yield and Milling Characteristics of Rice in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu Districts of Ghana

This study presents findings from a comprehensive survey conducted between January and March 2021, aimed at elucidating the agricultural practices and perceptions of rice farmers, processors, and marketers in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu districts of the Northern Region in Ghana. The research sought to gather essential data on improved techniques employed in rice cultivation, milling, and marketing, as well as understand the perceptions surrounding these practices within the local farming communities. Employing a multi-stage sampling methodology, primary data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 134 rice farmers, 82 processors, and 22 marketers. Key findings revealed that a significant proportion (54.7%) of farmers preferred cultivating local rice varieties such as Moses, Bumbass, Mandii, Bazolgu, Salimasaa, and Assemblyman. Moreover, the survey indicated that 54.5% of farmers adopted the broadcasting method for planting seeds, while only 18% practiced line transplanting with well-defined spacing. Additionally, a majority of transplanting activities occurred when seedlings were at least 4 weeks old, highlighting potential inefficiencies in timing. The study identified several constraints hindering rice production in both lowland and irrigated rice ecosystems across the surveyed districts. These constraints include the prevalence of poor-quality seed varieties, inadequate spacing, suboptimal timing of transplanting, and low soil fertility. Addressing these challenges is imperative for enhancing rice productivity and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.

Characteristics of Damage to Brown Rice Kernels under Single and Continuous Mechanical Compression Conditions.

During the rice milling process, single and continuous compression occurs between brown rice and the processing parts. When the external load exceeds the yield limit of brown rice, brown rice kernels are damaged; with an increase in compression deformation or the extent of compression, the amount of damage to the kernels expands and accumulates, ultimately leading to the fracture and breakage of kernels. In order to investigate the mechanical compression damage characteristics of brown rice kernels under real-world working conditions, this study constructs an elastic-plastic compression model and a continuous damage model of brown rice kernels based on Hertz theory and continuous damage theory; the accuracy of this model is verified through experiments, and the relevant processing critical parameters are calculated. In this study, three varieties of brown rice kernels are taken as the research object, and mechanical compression tests are carried out using a texture apparatus; finally, the test data are analysed and calculated by combining them with the theoretical model to obtain the relevant critical parameters of damage. The results of the single compression crushing test of brown rice kernels showed that the maximum destructive forces Fc in the single compression of Hunan Early indica 45, Hunan Glutinous 28, and Southern Japonica 518 kernels were 134.77 ± 11.20 N, 115.64 ± 4.35 N, and 115.84 ± 5.89 N, respectively; the maximum crushing deformations αc in the single compression crushing test were 0.51 ± 0.04 mm, 0.43 ± 0.01 mm, and 0.48 ± 0.17 mm, respectively; and the critical average deformations αs of elasticity-plasticity deformation were 0.224 mm, 0.267 mm, and 0.280 mm, respectively. The results of the continuous compression crushing test of brown rice kernels showed that the critical deformations αd of successive compression damage formation were 0.224 mm, 0.267 mm, and 0.280 mm, and the deformation ratios δ of compression damage were 12.24%, 14.35%, and 12.84%. From the test results, it can be seen that the continuous application of compression load does not result in the crushing of kernels if the compression deformation is less than αd during mechanical compression. The continuous application of compressive loads can lead to fragmentation of the kernels if the compressive deformation exceeds αd; the larger the compression variant, the less compression is required for crushing. If the compression deformation exceeds αc, then a single compressive load can directly fragment the kernels. Therefore, the load employed during rice milling should be based on the variety of brown rice used in order to prevent brown rice deformation, which should be less than αd, and the maximum load should not exceed Fc. The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for the structure and parameter optimisation of a rice milling machine.

Application of Fuzzy Logic to Predict Rice Production Quantity in Bogor Regency

This study aims to understand prediction methods using fuzzy Mamdani logic to conclude the quantity of rice production in the Bogor Regency area. Then in this study, we used quantitative methods and involved interviews with resource persons, namely rice mill workers and farmers. The data obtained from the interview is then fuzzyfication to be used in calculations. The main finding of this study is the elaboration of crop quantity from small, normal, and many, with the range of yields produced ranging from 0 to 3000 KG for little, 3000 to 6000 KG for normal, and 6000 to 10000 KG for many. Weather and humidity observations were found to significantly affect rice yields. The implications of these findings are improved accuracy in yield estimation, and the ability to address uncertainty and complexity in factors affecting crop growth. Despite the limitations of this study, such as limited data and remote study locations, the use of fuzzy logic can make a crucial contribution to determining the quantity of water needed for plant growth based on rainfall and weather conditions. This research is crucial because it can be a reference for future research that uses fuzzy logic to determine the quantity of rice production.

Effect of Intermittent Low-Pressure Radiofrequency Helium Cold Plasma Treatments on Rice Gelatinization, Fatty Acid, and Hygroscopicity.

To establish the safe and reproducible effects of cold plasma (CP) technology on food products, this study evaluated the gelatinization parameters, fatty acid profile, and hygroscopic properties of rice grains repeatedly treated with low-pressure radiofrequency (RF) helium CP (13.56 MHz, 140 Pa, 120 W-20s, 0-4 times, and 300 g sample). Compared with the untreated (zero times) sample, with an increase in CP treatment times from one to four on rice, the water contact angle and cooking time decreased, while the water absorption rate and freshness index increased, and the pH value remained unchanged. CP repeating treatments essentially had no effect on the gelatinization enthalpy, but significantly increased the peak temperature of gelatinization. From the pasting profile of rice that has been repeatedly CP treated, the peak, breakdown, and setback viscosities in flour paste decreased. CP repeating treatments on rice did not change the short-range molecular order of starch. Compared with the untreated sample, the first helium CP treatment maintained the content of C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C18:3n3, but the second to fourth CP treatment significantly decreased contents of these fatty acids (FAs) as the C18:0 content increased. The first three CP treatments can increase the water and sucrose solvent retention capacity in rice flours. CP repeatedly treated rice first exhibits the similar monolayer water content and solid surface area of water sorption. Principal component analysis shows that contact angle, pasting parameters, and fatty acid profile in milled rice are quite sensitive to CP treatment. Results support that the effect of low-pressure RF 120W helium CP treatment 20 s on rice grains is perdurable, and the improvement of CP intermittent treatments on rice cooking and pasting properties is an added benefit, and the hygroscopic properties of rice was kept.

Test and application of abrasion characteristics of brown rice

The abrasion characteristics of brown rice in the polishing unit of the rice mill are not clearly understood, which greatly limits the new development need of moderate milling. Therefore, a single rice abrasion characteristic test platform with adjustable normal force, grit number of abrasive surface and sliding distance was set up. The results showed that both the normal load and the grit number significantly influence mass loss and specific abrasion area. It was found that the abrasion coefficient decreases with increasing load and increases with larger grit number. The abrasive surface of brown rice grain was inspected to understand abrasion behavior. The rice kernels lying on the plate milled by abrasive plane is more conducive to the restoration of nutritious embryo. An application of abrasion characteristics combining the milling information from simulation was proposed, aiming at provided a method for the digital design of the rice mill.

Development of Rice By-Products Based Hair Tonic Mixed with Traditional Thai Herbal Extracts: A Sustainable Approach for Hair Care

Previously, byproducts from Thai rice mill industry including crude riceberry oil (CRO) and broken riceberry (BRB) showed antioxidant and tyrosinase-stimulating activities. This work aimed to develop 5 hair tonic formulae by mixing CRO (0.2-1.0%) and BRB (0.4-2.0%) with three Thai traditional herbal ethanolic extracts (2.0%) of Catunaregam tomentosa (CT), Acacia concinna (AC) and Tinospora crispa (TC) in 4:3:3 (v/v). The results showed that formula 5 (F5) containing 2% BRB, 1.0% CRO and 2% herbal extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging capacity at 16.6 TEAC mg/g, FRAP value at 1.18 FeSO4 mg/g, and ABTS value at 14.9 TEAC mg/g) and tyrosinase-stimulating activity of 38%. This hair tonic was safe to use based on skin irritation test, and stable over 8-week storage at room temperature. Hence, F5 hair tonic (coded (R)) was tested on 20 subjects divided in 2 groups (older and younger age groups) with 10 individuals each in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled experimental design with split-head method where treatments were conducted as intra-individual trial for 10, 20 and 30 days. The hair tonic coded C (Control without BRB, CRO or herbal extracts) and the commercial hair tonic coded G were tested for comparison. Adverse reactions were not noticed during the study. The hair tonic R was able to reduce hair loss by 48-71% in 2 groups with no significant difference from the commercial hair tonic. In comparison with the efficacy in the reduction of gray hair of the 2 groups at each time interval, the 2experimental (R) hair tonic product was found to be more effective in group 2 (younger age). However, the efficacy in the reduction of gray hair was lower than that in the reduction of hair loss. The experimental hair tonic R was more effective in dandruff reduction in group 1 (older age). The R hair tonic product received a satisfactory score of 6.79±0.32 out of 9.0 (moderate-to-high likeness) with the highest score from the aroma and the lowest score from the opaque color resulting from mixing aqueous herbal extract and oil. This is a sustainable way to add value to byproducts from rice mill industry and Thai traditional herbs as cosmetic elements in the formulation of hair products.

Development of rice bran-derived nanoparticles with excellent anti-cancer activity and their application for peritoneal dissemination

BackgroundRice bran a by-product of the rice milling process is currently underutilized. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived nanoparticles (pdNPs) can be mass-produced at a low cost and exhibit biological and therapeutic activities. Rice bran contains various anti-cancer compounds, including γ-oryzanol and γ-tocotrienol, and rice bran-derived nanoparticles (rbNPs) can be employed as novel therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.ResultsKoshihikari rice bran was suspended in water, and the suspension was centrifuged and filtered through a 0.45-µm-pore size syringe filter. The filtrate was ultracentrifuged, and the precipitates were suspended to obtain rbNPs. The rbNPs were negatively charged exosome-like nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 130 nm. The rbNPs exhibited cytotoxic activities against cancer cells but not against normal cells. The cytotoxic activity of rbNPs to murine colon adenocarcinoma colon26 cells was significantly greater than DOXIL® or other pdNPs. The rbNPs induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and reduced the expression of proliferative proteins, including β-catenin and cyclin D1. Intraperitoneal injections of rbNPs into mice bearing peritoneal dissemination of colon26 cells significantly suppressed tumor growth with no significant adverse effects.ConclusionThese results indicated that rbNPs are promising nanoparticles, hold significant potential for anti-cancer applications, and are expected to play a vital role in cancer treatment.

Effect of syngas recirculation in the pyrolysis zone on the rice husk gasification process using the downdraft reactor

As one of the world's largest rice producers, Indonesia has an abundance of rice husk as a byproduct of rice milling. Rice husks were utilized to examine downdraft gasification with syngas recirculation system. This study attempts to produce better syngas than conventional downdraft gasifier. With an equivalency ratio of 0.20, syngas was recirculated into the reactor in the pyrolysis zone with valve openings at 25%, 50%, and 75%. This study determined the syngas recycling ratio that maximizes H2 and CO gas and decreases tar. Increasing the syngas recirculation valve (25%, 50%, and 75%) accelerates flame propagation and pyrolysis zone temperature. Syngas study showed no recirculation condition produces the maximum CO2 and CH4. Different recirculation valve openings little affect CO and CH4 gas composition. The H2 gas composition demonstrates that valve openings significantly change H2 gas generation and that the peak was at 50% syngas recirculation. Tar content decreased to 30% and 35% at 50% and 75% valve openings. Based on H2/CO comparison and tar concentration, 50% opening syngas recirculation became the optimum case.

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE AS NATURAL RESOURCE-BASED ADSORBENTS FOR METHYLENE BLUE REMOVAL

Excessive agricultural waste in the agricultural industry leads to various forms of pollution, including water pollution. To address this issue, there's a growing interest in finding alternative methods. One approach is to utilize agricultural waste as natural resource-based adsorbents to eliminate contaminants, such as the case of methylene blue (MB) in this study. The study specifically focuses on using rice husk (RH) from a local rice mill in Perlis, Malaysia, to absorb methylene blue. The structure of rice husk, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), reveals a coarser and more compact outer area, contributing to its absorption capacity for methylene blue. The study on rice husk involves three main aspects: contact time, adsorbent dosage, and dye concentration. The removal percentage of MB increased as the three studied adsorption parameters increased. The adsorption data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, with the the Freundlich Isotherms were found to be more suitable based on higher coefficient of correlation (R2) values compared to Langmuir. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model demonstrated a higher R2 value (1.00) compared to the pseudo-first-order model (0.747). The results indicate promising potential for addressing pollution through sustainable means and provide insights into the adsorption process under varying conditions.

Significant Synergy Effects of Biochar Combined with Topdressing Silicon on Cd Reduction and Yield Increase of Rice in Cd-Contaminated Paddy Soil

Pot and field trials were conducted to explore the combined effect of biochar (BC) with topdressing silicon (Si) on Cd uptake by rice and grain yield in Cd-contaminated paddy soil. The treatments, including BC applied before transplanting (TBC), topdressing Si applied in the soil at the jointing stage (JSi) and BC combined with topdressing Si (TBC + JSi), were designed in a complete random block, and treatment without application of BC and Si was used as a control (CK). Results showed that Cd concentration in milled rice treated with TBC + JSi was decreased by 34.62%, 22.73% and 10.53%, respectively, when compared to CK, TBC and JSi, with the concentration being only 0.17 mg·kg−1. At rice maturity, available Cd in the soil was reduced by 7.98% (TBC), 4.76% (JSi) and 6.02% (TBC + JSi) when compared with CK, while the concentrations of total Cd were 32.07% (TBC), 27.85% (JSi) and 35.44% (TBC + JSi) higher than CK. Moreover, BC and Si increased the Cd sequestrated by leaves markedly, especially for TBC + JSi, which was much higher than TBC and JSi. Therefore, the transfer of Cd from leaf to milled rice was greatly decreased by TBC + JSi. In addition, a synergy effect of TBC + JSi on rice yield was also found. Compared with CK, the grain yields of TBC, JSi and TBC+ JSi were increased by 8.35%, 8.20% and 18.74%, respectively. Nutrient contents in soil and rice plants were also elevated by the application of BC and Si to a certain extent; for example, the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Si in soil treated with TBC + JSi were raised by 8.96–60.03% when compared with CK. Overall, the combined application of BC with topdressing Si not only increases soil nutrients significantly, promotes their uptake by rice and boosts grain yield, but also effectively inhibits Cd transfer and reduces its accumulation in rice, which ultimately guarantees milled rice security. These results also imply that the combined application of biochar with topdressing silicon might be considered as an effective agronomic measure to decrease the milled-rice Cd in Cd-contaminated paddy soil, which would guarantee food security.

Optimizing rice yield, quality and nutrient use efficiency through combined application of nitrogen and potassium.

Reasonable nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) application rates can effectively improve fertilizer use efficiency, rice yield and quality. A two-year field experiment was conducted with combined application of three N rates (135, 180, and 225 kg ha-1, denoted as N1-N3) and four K rates (0, 90, 135, and 180 kg ha-1, denoted as K0-K3) using super indica hybrid rice cultivar Yixiangyou (YXY) 2115 to explore the effects of co-application of N and K on rice growth and development. The results indicated that the combined application of N and K had significantly interactive effects on dry matter (DM) accumulation, nutrients absorption, N harvest index (NHI), K harvest index (KHI), spikelets per panicle and most rice quality indexes. The highest total DM accumulation (17998.17-19432.47 kg ha-1) at maturity stage was obtained under N3K2. The effect of co-application of N and K on nutrients absorption and utilization varied between the two years and within each year. The highest total N and K accumulations at maturity stage were observed under N3K1 and N3K2, respectively, while the highest N recovery efficiency (NRE) and K recovery efficiency (KRE) were observed under N1K3. High expression levels of N and K metabolism-related genes in rice grains were observed under N3K2 or N3K3, consistent with N and K uptake. Co-application of N and K increased rice yield significantly and the highest yield (6745.02-7010.27 kg ha-1) was obtained under N2K2. As more N was gradually applied, rice appearance quality improved but milling, cooking and eating quality decreased. Although appropriate application of K could improve rice milling, cooking and eating quality, it reduced appearance quality. The optimal milling, cooking and eating quality were obtained under N1K2, while the best appearance quality was obtained under N3K0. Overall, a combination of 135-210 kg ha-1 N and 115-137 kg ha-1 K application rates was recommended for achieving relatively higher yield and better quality in rice production.

Transnational networks of human resources and knowledge in East Asia: a case study of Taiwan merchant Wang Xuenong (1870–1915) and his trading company

Abstract Taiwan is an island and trade has always been the locomotive of its economic development. From the 1620s to the 1960s, cane sugar was Taiwan's most representative export commodity. Yet little attention has been paid to the business strategies of sugar traders and the changes in their thinking. How did the Takow (Kaohsiung) merchants who first went to Japan and Hong Kong to conduct cross-border trade in person learn about international trade and build a network of human resources that crossed borders, especially after the 1870s? And how did they face the great changes of an era in which tradition and modernity were intertwined, so that, following the regime transfer in the 1890s from the Qing Dynasty to the Japanese empire, they were able to expand their business territory and become major sugar merchants in southern Taiwan? This article examines the career of Wang Xuenong—a well-known sugar merchant in Taiwan during the Meiji period (1868–1912). It attempts to explain, from the perspective of cross-cultural knowledge transfer and human resource strategies, why and how sugar merchants such as Wang, who had gone to Japan in the early years of the Meiji Restoration for purposes of cross-border trade, introduced a trading company system that incorporated a mixture of East Asian and Western elements. It further investigates how they expanded their business from the sugar trade into a wider commercial domain that included mechanical rice milling and steamship transport. Finally, it looks at how their actions affected a transformation of Taiwan's commercial culture from the late Qing Dynasty to the early days of Japanese rule, and the historical significance of these changes in Taiwan's transitions towards industrialisation and modernisation.

Triple Problems of Nepalese Hills: Low Income, Migration and, Land Use Changes – One Possible Solution: Specialty Rice

The hills of Nepal face a complex triad of interrelated challenges: low income, outmigration, and land abandonment leading to aquifer desiccation, with low income serving as the precursor of this vicious cycle. The Nepalese hills harbor two significant yet underutilized potentials. First, the picturesque terraces, a legacy of preceding generations, are unfortunately abandoned and neglected. Second, these hills harbor diverse landrace varieties of rice, each with unique traits, though only a limited number among them have received the deserved recognition and fair market prices. This study seeks to identify and analyze these rice varieties, investigate their value chain, and conduct a comparative cost-benefit analysis against other rice varieties across Nepal to evaluate their economic feasibility. This study, conducted across 12 districts in Eastern Nepal, involved 12 focused group discussions with rice farmers, 200 individual interviews with rice farmers, as well as 10 individual interviews each with rice millers, agro vets, and rice traders. The research employed cost-benefit analysis as a tool to assess economic feasibility. The findings indicated that some of these rice varieties demonstrate a benefit-to-cost ratio ranging from two to four times higher than conventional rice varieties. The economic viability of most other varieties remains unknown as they have not yet been tested in the market. These findings present crucial insights for researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, and the private sector to further explore, act upon, facilitate, and invest in the untapped potential, aiming to break the vicious cycle and ensure increased income, reduced migration, and conservation of ecological and environmental resources.

Strength Performance of Concrete Containing Rice Husk Ash as Cement Replacement in Presence of Polypropylene Fiber

This study focuses on the utilization of Rice Husk Ash (RHA) as partial replacement of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) in concrete in addition with Polypropylene (PP) fiber. The main goal of this study was to decrease dependence on OPC and address environmental waste generated through rice mills. This study considered concrete cubes prepared through 1:2:4 ration with 0.50 water-cement ratio with and without RHA and PP fibers. The water curing was done for 7 and 28 days, with three specimens for each proportion, and the average value was considered as the result. It was observed that the compressive strength of M2 concrete which containing 10% RHA was noticed 7% higher than the control mix concrete and declared as 10% RHA as optimum dosage. Next, the performance in terms of compressive strength of concrete containing optimum dosage of RHA in presence of PP fibers of three different lengths were also evaluated and found that the 0.1% of PP fiber of 0.5 inches length gives the 25% higher strength performance as compared to the control mix and 17% higher than the concrete containing 10% RHA only at the age of 28days. Hence, this study concluded that the replacing OPC cement with 10% RHA produces satisfactory strength performance and incorporation of PP fiber gives better strength performances.

Adoption of Golden Rice: A Boon for the Children Suffering from Vitamin A Deficiency

Many poor people worldwide cannot afford nutritious food and depend on rice for their daily food needs. In 2022, Asia was home to 55% (402 million) of the people in the world affected by hunger, while more than 38% (282 million) lived in Africa. India is the world’s secondlargest producer of rice, wheat, vegetables, and fruit. Malnutrition is a major problem that causes many immediate and long-term health problems. Over 33 lakh children in India are malnourished, with Maharashtra, Bihar, and Gujarat having a major share. Vitamin A deficiency causes irreversible blindness in 500,000 children annually, which ultimately results in large-scale deaths. In Southeast Asia, due to VAD, every year, five million children develop symptoms that may lead to blindness. VAD is also a matter of concern in several areas of Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It is estimated that vitamin A nutrition may prevent approximately 1 to 2 million deaths every year among children aged 1 to 4 and an additional 0.25 to 0.5 million during the higher age group of children. One of the major causes of vitamin A deficiency is that milled rice does not contain β-carotene, which is the precursor of vitamin A synthesis. In this scenario, adopting Golden Rice which is genetically modified rice could benefit the population living in developing countries. This review article gives emphasis on the importance of overcoming vitamin A deficiency.

Effect of Ethanolic Stem Extract of Nelsonia Canescens on Selected Biochemical Parameters in Male Wistar Rats Induced with Sodium Arsenite

Medicinal plants are those that have curative qualities or have positive pharmacological effects on the human body. The effect of ethanolic stem extracts from Nelsonia canescens was studied in relation to Sodium arsenite-induced toxicity in wistar rats. Fresh stem extract of Nelsonia canescens were obtained behind rice mill area, Wukari, Taraba state and was shade dried at room temperature and was homogenized into powder and measured at 300g into 100ml of absolute ethanol for 72 hours. 15 healthy male rats of 70g to 90g weight were obtained from animal house Makurdi, Benue state. Animals from Group 1 were used as control. 5mg/kg body weight of Sodium arsenite was administered to Group 2 animals while animals in Groups 3, 4 and 5 were administered with Nelsonia canescens ethanolic stem extracts 50 mg/kg, 100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg as well. At the end of 3 weeks the animals were sacrificed and serum sample were collected and analysed using standard methods. The results indicate that, when compared to those who received Sodium arsenite, those who received ethanol stem extracts of Nelsonia canescens showed a comparatively considerable liver protection against Sodium arsenite -induced damage. The levels of biochemical parameters: Albumin, Total protein, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Total bilirubin, Urea, Creatinine of rats administered with Sodium arsenite only was also observed. The Nelsonia canescens extract’s activity at 200mg/kg bw (higher dose) give a reasonable decrease in the amount of these liver enzymes. Deducing from study results, it indicates that Nelsonia canescens leaf extracts could be an effective agent in Sodium arsenite mediated liver toxicity in adult wistar rats and drug development.

Effect of tertiary processing on physical, optical, phytochemical as well as rheological properties of high-protein rice.

The first high-protein rice variety of India, CR Dhan 310, developed at ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack is being selected for the study. It contains 10.1% protein in milled rice as compared to 6-7% protein content in the milled rice of any other normal variety. It has intermediate amylose content (25.1%), medium bold grains rich in protein (10.1%) The significant changes in properties of raw and parboiled rice on processing were studied at statistical differences of p ≤ 0.05. These properties included physical, optical, antioxidant and rheological properties which changed with different processing techniques. All the three processes namely, puffing, popping and flaking increased the dimensions as compared to the raw rice. Peak viscosity measurements demonstrated the breakdown of starch molecules, with white rice having the greatest value (4145 cP) and popped rice having the lowest value (2017 cP) as a result of the starch granules being gelatinized during the production of popped rice. Highest anthocyanin content (2.93 mg/100 g) was observed in puffed rice, phenolic content (347.93 mg/100 g) was highest in popped rice and flaked/flattened rice showed highest flavonoid content (127.12 mg/100 g) indicating that tertiary processing of rice obtained higher values of phytochemicals when compared to the plain high-protein rice. This indicates that the processed products of rice can be consumed directly as ready-to-eat or can be used in preparation of other functional foods to combat malnutrition and build nutritional security. The study indicates that processing could improve the nutritional quality of the rice products.

Optimizing Rice Milling in Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Analysis of Semi-Automatic Processes with Modern Machinery

This study investigates the inclusion of modern machinery into the rice milling process in Bangladesh. The investigation spanned three districts-Dinajpur, Kushtia, and Mymensingh. Data collection involved personal interviews employing semi-structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions, covering aspects such as mill types, ownership status, existing products, milling machinery varieties, and the total commissioning cost of mills/sections. Employing a primary descriptive statistical method, the study aimed to assess the current status of rice milling, specifically semi-automated processes utilizing modern machinery, focusing on type, capacity, and technological aspects. The research revealed milling costs for semi-automatic operations without modern equipment at Tk.2954 and those with modern equipment at Tk.3460. Whole rice recovery rates were 66.25% and 64.75%, respectively. Semi-automatic rice mills exhibited a capacity range of 1.15-1.75 t/h, with a utilization rate of 40%. The estimated benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) were higher for semi-automatic mills, both with and without modern equipment, at 1.48 and 1.64, respectively. Staff requirements for semi-automatic operations without modern equipment and those with modern equipment were reported as 9.13 and 4.50 person-hours per ton of paddy processing, respectively. These findings serve as a valuable foundation for making well-informed decisions and offering guidance to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and entrepreneurs in optimizing the benefits of automation for sustainable and competitive rice production in Bangladesh.

Metabolomics Analysis of Variation in Grain Quality of High-Quality Japonica Rice

In recent years, the semi-glutinous japonica rice variety has been extensively utilized in Jiangsu Province to greatly increase rice quality. Nevertheless, the increasing occurrence of seed variation presented a major threat to rice quality. Enhancing the quality of rice grains has emerged as a critical factor in guaranteeing consumer acceptance. Throughout this investigation, five lines (VJ1, VJ2, VJ3, VJ4, and VJ5) selected from the Nanjing9108 population in Liyang were used as research materials, and original cultivars of Nanjing9108 (CKJ1) provided by the original breeder were utilized as control materials to compare rice quality and differential metabolites. VJ4 and VJ3 demonstrated a significant reduction in milled rice rate and head milled rice rate when contrasted to CKJ1. Compared with CKJ1, the amylose content of the five strains was significantly increased. Only VJ3 amplified the 106 bp target band, and its 2-AP content was 0 ng/g. Most metabolites are mainly enriched in cutin, suberine, wax biosynthesis, histidine, and tryptophan metabolism. The primary metabolites throughout the metabolic pathway involve lipids and lipid-like molecules (mono palmitin, alpha-eleostearic, and palmitic acid) and amino acid metabolites (L-glutamate, L-tryptophan, and L-serine). The identification of these key metabolites helps in the discovery of prospective biomarkers for screening seed variation throughout seed production.

Improved organic and pesticide-free rice (Oryza sativa L.) authentication based on multiple stable isotope ratio analysis and rice milling state

This study looked at the application of multiple bulk stable isotope ratio analysis to accurately authenticate organic rice and counteract organic fraud within the expanding global organic market. Variations of δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, and δ34S in organic, pesticide-free, and conventional rice were assessed across different milling states (brown, milled, and bran). Individual stable isotope ratio alone such as δ15N demonstrated limited capacity to correctly differentiate organic, pesticide-free, and conventional rice. A support vector machine model—incorporating δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, and δ34S in milled rice—yielded overall predictability (95%) in distinguishing organic, pesticide-free, and conventional rice, where δ18O emerged as the pivotal variable based on the feature weights in the SVM model. These findings suggest the potential of multi-isotope and advanced statistical approaches in combating organic fraud and ensuring authenticity in the food supply chain.