It is rich in bioactive phytochemicals, which have several health benefits. Among others, rice bran contains 10%–23% oil, constituting the major bioactive elements of the bran. The aim of this work is therefore to evaluate rice bran oil obtained from Ethiopian small-scale rice-milling plants for suitability of human consumption.
What is rice bran oil?
Rice bran oil (RBO) is unique among edible vegetable oils because of its unique fatty acid composition, phenolic compound (γ-oryzanol, ferulic acid) and vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienol). It has become a great choice of cooking oil because of its very high burning point, neutral taste and delicate flavour.
Is rice bran oil physicochemical?
The result of the work confirmed that the rice bran oil from Ethiopian rice-milling plants has physicochemical characteristics that satisfy the acceptable threshold values set by various organizations.
How is rice bran stabilized?
The rice bran was stabilized using microwave heating to inactivate endogenous lipase enzymes that would otherwise cause rancidity of the oil and render it inedible. The oil was then extracted and evaluated for its physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant activity using standard methods.