Improved Shelf Life of Brown Rice by Heat and Microwave Treatment

Widespread marketing and consumption of brown rice is limited by its short shelf life, attributed to the susceptibility of the lipids in the bran to rapid lipolytic (lipase) reactions which cause rancidity or spoilage. Findings from this study established optimum heat and microwave treatment conditions that could effectively inactivate lipase enzyme to consequently stabilize brown rice against rancidity, without affecting its antioxidant activity for up to 8 months of storage at room temperature. Improvement in shelf life of brown rice through these optimum treatment conditions was confirmed through monitoring the changes in physicochemical properties (free fatty acids, phenolics content and antioxidant activity), and raw and cooked sensory attributes and acceptability during storage. These treatment technologies for improving the shelf life of brown rice can now be adapted to pilot-scale and subsequently to commercial-scale applications.