Enzymatic process of rice bran: a stabilized functional food with nutraceuticals and nutrients.

Rice bran (RB), a byproduct of rice milling industry, is a rich source of nutraceuticals and nutrients. However its utility is limited due to the presence of lipase and lipoxygenase which initiates rancidity on milling. The aim of this investigation is to prevent oxidation of free fatty acids by enzymatic approach for its effective utilization. The enzymatic treatment comprised of alcalase treatment for complete inactivation of lipase along with reduction in lipoxygenase (LOX) activity and endoglucanase for improving the soluble fiber content. The enzyme treated rice bran was drum dried for further use. The nutraceutical molecules like γ-oryzanol, α-tocopherol and polyphenols were retained in the range of 68 to 110 % and the total antioxidant activity was improved. By the action of endoglucanase the complex carbohydrate was converted into glucose (72.28 %), cellobiose (18.36 %) and cellotriose (9.36 %). The prebiotic effect of enzyme treated rice bran was evaluated by the action of lactobacillus which was measured through the release of the short chain free fatty acids (SCFAs) analyzed by HPLC. The SCFAs; acetic acid and propionic acid increased by 1.72 folds and 2.12 folds respectively. B-complex vitamins showed maximum retention with vitamins like B1 (66.3 %), B2 (68.3 %) and B3 (55.0 %) after enzyme treatment. At different humidity levels, storage studies showed no change in LOX activity and also retained ubiquinol-10 in reduced state in enzyme treated RB for a period of 3 months. A stabilized RB has been developed enriched with short chain prebiotics and antioxidant molecules.

Quality characteristics and stability of Moringa oleifera seed oil of Indian origin.

Cold pressed and hexane extracted moringa seed oils (CPMSO and HEMSO) were evaluated for their physico-chemical and stability characteristics. The iodine value, saponification value and unsaponifiable matter of CPMSO and HEMSO were found to be 67.8 and 68.5 g I2 / 100 g oil, 190.4 and 191.2 mg KOH / g oil and 0.59 and 0.65%, respectively. The total tocopherols of CPMSO and HEMSO were found to be 95.5 and 90.2 mg/Kg. The fatty acid composition of CPMSO and HEMSO showed oleic acid as the major fatty acid (78-79%). The oxidative, thermal and frying stabilities of the CPMSO were compared with commercial raw and refined groundnut oil (GNO and RGNO). The CPMSO was of adequate thermal stability and better oxidative stability as it showed 79% lesser peroxide formation than GNO. The frying stability of CPMSO was better as it showed lower increase in free fatty acid (28%), peroxide value (10 meq O2/Kg) and color (25%) than RGNO (48%, 22 meq O2/kg and 52%, respectively) after frying.