Enhancement Methods of Antioxidant Capacity in Rice Bran: A Review

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a primary food that is widely consumed throughout the world, especially in Asian countries. The two main subspecies of rice are japonica and indica which are different in physical characteristics. In general, both indica and japonica rice consist of three types of grain colors, namely white, red, and black. Furthermore, rice and rice by-products contain secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tocopherols that have bioactivities such as antioxidants, antimicrobial, cancer chemopreventive, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic agents. The existence of health benefits in rice bran, especially as antioxidants, gives rice bran the opportunity to be used as a functional food. Most of the bioactive compounds in plants are found in bound form with cell wall components such as cellulose and lignin. The process of releasing bonds between bioactive components and cell wall components in rice bran can increase the antioxidant capacity. Fermentation and treatment with enzymes were able to increase the total phenolic content, total flavonoids, tocotrienols, tocopherols, and γ-oryzanol in rice bran.

Pearl millet grain as an emerging source of starch: A review on its structure, physicochemical properties, functionalization, and industrial applications

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) is a sustainable and underutilized starch source, constituting up to 70 % starch in its grain. Pearl millet could be used as a cheaper source of starch as compared to other cereals for developing functional foods. This review is mainly focused on isolation methods, and chemical composition of the pearl millet starch (PMS). Techno-functional characteristics such as; gelatinization, pasting properties, solubility, swelling power, and digestibility to infer wider application of the PMS critically highlighted in the review. Native starches have limited functionalitiesfor food applications due to the instability in developed pastes and gels. A number of modifications (physical, mechanical and enzymatic) have been developed to increase the functionality and to obtain desired characteristics of PMS thus improving its utilization in food applications. Further, the utilization of native as well as modified PMS is also discussed comprehensively. In addition, a number of recommendations to further improve its functionality and increase its application are also discussed.