Comparison of Three Extraction Systems for Determining Surface Lipid Content of Thickness‐Fractionated Milled Rice

The surface lipid content (SLC) of rice is often used to objectively measure the degree to which bran has been removed from rice kernels, commonly known as degree of milling (DOM). This study was conducted to evaluate new, rapid extraction technology for potential timesaving measurements of SLC of milled rice. The SLC of two long‐grain rice cultivars, Cypress and Drew, were determined using three extraction systems: Soxtec, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Before milling, rough rice was separated into three thickness fractions (<1.84, 1.84–1.98, and >1.98 mm) and samples from each thickness fraction were milled for durations of 10, 20, and 30 sec. Head rice collected from each milling duration was extracted using each of the three methods. Results showed that regardless of the extraction method, thinner kernels had lower SLC measurements than thicker fractions. In most cases, both the ASE and Soxtec produced SLC greater than that of the SFE. The ASE also showed SLC measurements at least as great as those from Soxtec extraction, suggesting that the ASE is as thorough in extracting lipids as commonly used methods.     

Milling Characteristics of Rice Cultivars and Hybrids

Many rice cultivars and hybrids have unique physical characteristics that affect milling performance. The purpose of this study was to quantify the rate of bran removal during milling for several rice cultivars and hybrids common to the southern United States, and compare the quantity of lipids remaining on the kernel surface to that located throughout the kernel. This was accomplished by analyzing two sample sets. The first comprised cultivars Cocodrie, Cypress, and Lemont, and hybrids XL7 and XL8, which were milled for 0 (brown rice), 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 sec in a laboratory mill. In the second set, cultivars Cocodrie, Cypress, and Wells, and hybrids XL7 and XL8 were milled for 0, 20, 40, and 60 sec. The surface lipid content (SLC) and color of head rice samples were measured as indications of the degree of milling (DOM). The total lipid content (TLC) of ground head rice was also measured to determine the total amount of lipids present throughout the entire kernel. Results showed that at a given milling duration, SLC and color varied across cultivars and hybrids. In particular, the SLC levels of hybrids were lower than those of cultivars, particularly for Cocodrie, for all milling durations. This research indicated that it may be necessary to mill different cultivars and hybrids for varying durations to attain comparable DOM levels. Milling to a consistent DOM level is necessary to ensure equitable head rice yield comparisons across cultivars and hybrids.     

Quality Characteristics of Long-Grain Rice Milled in Two Commercial Systems

Long-grain rice variety Kaybonnet was milled to three degree of milling (DOM) levels in two commercial milling systems (a single-break, friction milling system and a multibreak, abrasion and friction milling system) and separated into five thickness fractions. For both milling systems, the surface lipid content (SLC) and protein content of the milled rice varied significantly across kernel thickness fractions. SLC was influenced by DOM level more than by thickness, while the protein content was influenced by thickness more than by DOM level. Particularly at the low DOM levels, the thinnest kernel fraction (<1.49 mm) had higher SLC than the other kernel fractions. Protein content decreased with increasing kernel thickness to 1.69 mm, after which it remained constant. In both milling systems, thinner kernels were milled at a greater bran removal rate as indicated by SLC differences between the low and high DOM levels. For rice milled to a given DOM level, the multibreak system produced fewer brokens than did the single-break system.     

Digital Image Analysis Method for Rapid Measurement of Rice Degree of Milling

A digital image analysis method was developed to quickly and accurately measure the degree of milling (DOM) of rice. The digital image analysis method was statistically compared to a chemical analysis method for evaluating DOM, which consisted of measuring the surface lipids concentration (SLC) of milled rice. The surface lipid area percentage (SLAP) obtained by the image analysis method and the SLC obtained by chemical analysis had a high coefficient of determination using a quadratic model (R² = 0.9819) and using a logarithmic model (R² = 0.9703). The quadratic model and the logarithmic model were validated using the test data set and it received high coefficients of determination (R² = 0.9502 and R² = 0.9459, respectively).     

Factors Affecting the Slope of Head Rice Yield vs. Degree of Milling

Milling data of four long-grain rice cultivars were analyzed to determine the uniformity in the slope of their curves for head rice yield (HRY) versus the corresponding degree of milling (DOM). The data set for each cultivar comprised samples that had been subjected to various drying air conditions and durations and milled over a range of moisture contents. All treatment combinations were split and milled for either 15, 30, 45, or 60 sec in a McGill no. 2 laboratory mill to obtain HRY versus DOM data. Linear relationships between HRY and DOM, as observed in past research, were confirmed. This implies that as rice is milled to greater extents (higher DOM), the HRY decreases linearly. Within the bounds of the experimental levels tested, neither the drying air condition nor drying duration affected the rate at which HRY changed with DOM. However, the cultivar and the moisture content at which the rice was milled significantly (P < 0.05) influenced this rate. At higher milling moisture contents, the decrease in HRY per unit of increase in the DOM was greater than at lower moisture contents. While not conclusive, there was an indication of a relationship between the average kernel thickness of a cultivar and the HRY versus DOM slope.     

Correcting Head Rice Yield for Surface Lipid Content (Degree of Milling) Variation

Head rice yield (HRY) is the primary parameter used to quantify rice milling quality. However, HRY is affected by the degree of milling (DOM) and thus HRY may not be comparable between different lots if the DOM is different. The objective of this study was to develop a method by which HRY values can be adjusted for varying DOM values when measured by surface lipid content (SLC). Seventeen rough rice lots including long‐grain and medium‐grain cultivars and hybrids were harvested from two 2003 and five 2004 locations. Duplicate subsamples of each lot were milled in a McGill No. 2 laboratory mill for 10, 15, 20, or 40 sec after zero, one, two, three, and six months of storage. HRY and SLC were measured. The average HRY versus SLC slope across all milling duration data sets was 9.4. As such, it is suggested that, when milling with a McGill No. 2 laboratory mill, the HRY of a rice lot can be adjusted by a factor of 9.4 percentage points for every percentage point difference between the rice lot SLC and a specified SLC.     

Development and Validation of Prediction Models for Rice Surface Lipid Content and Color Parameters Using Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy: A Basis for Predicting Rice Degree of Milling

Degree of milling (DOM) of rice plays a key role in determining rice quality and value. Therefore, accurate, nondestructive, quick, and automated surface lipid content (SLC) measurement would be useful in a commercial milling environment. This study was undertaken to provide calibration models for commercial use to provide quick and accurate evaluation of milled rice SLC and Hunterlab color parameters (L,a,b) as indications of rice DOM. In all, 960 samples, including seven cultivars from seven southern United States locations, stored for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months, were milled for four durations to obtain samples of varying DOM. The samples were used to develop calibration models of milled rice SLC and L,a,b values. Another sample set (n = 58) was commercially milled and used to validate the developed models. A DA 7200 diode array analyzer was used to scan milled rice samples in wavelength spectra of 950–1,650 nm. SLC and color parameters were measured using a Soxtec system and a HunterLab colorimeter, respectively. The partial least squares regression (PLS) method using the full near‐infrared spectra was used to develop prediction models for rice SLC and color parameters. Milled rice SLC was well fitted with a correlation of determination of predicted and measured values of (R² = 0.934). Color parameters were also successfully fitted for L (R² = 0.943), a (R² = 0.870), and b (R² = 0.855). Performance of the developed models to predict rice DOM was superior in predicting SLC and L,a,b values with R² predicted and measured values of 0.958, 0.836, 0.924, and 0.661, respectively.     

Selected Factors Affecting Crude Oil Analysis of Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) as Compared with Milled Corn

With increasing production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), both fuel ethanol and animal feed industries are demanding standardized protocols for characterizing quality. AOCS Approved Procedure (Am 5‐04) was used for measuring crude oil content in milled corn and resulting DDGS. Selected factors, including sample type (milled corn, DDGS), sample origin (ethanol plant 1, 2, 3), sample particle size (original matrix, <0.71 mm, <0.50 mm mesh opening; the last two materials were obtained by grinding and sieving), solvent type (petroleum ether, hexane), extraction time (30, 60 min), and postextraction drying time (30, 60 min) were investigated by a complete factorial design. For milled corn, only sample origin and extraction time had significant effects (P < 0.05) on crude oil values measured, but for DDGS, besides those two factors, sample particle size, solvent type, and drying time also had significant effects. Among them, the particle size of DDGS had the most effect. On average, measured oil content in DDGS ranged from 11.11% (original matrix) to 12.12% (<0.71 mm) and to 12.55% (<0.50 mm). For measuring the crude oil content of DDGS, particle size reduction, 60 min of extraction, and 60 min of drying are recommended. Regardless of the underlining factors, the method was very repeatable (standard errors <0.05). The observed particle size effect on crude oil analysis of DDGS suggests the need for similar confirmations using other analytical methods.     

Influence of Kernel Maturity,Milling Degree,and Milling Quality on Rice Bran Phytochemical Concentrations

Rice bran is a rich source of phytochemicals including tocopherols (T), tocotrienols (T3), and γ‐oryzanol that have purported positive effects on human health. The screening of germplasm to determine the genetic diversity influencing contents of these compounds requires knowledge of how sample preparation influences concentrations of the phytochemicals in rice bran. Obtaining this knowledge was the objective of this study. Cultivars with different milling qualities were all milled to different degrees. The differences in bran removal among cultivars decreased as the milling time increased. Samples that were milled for 30 and 40 sec (milled to the degree of 0.23–0.44% surface lipid content [SLC]) showed no significant differences in T and T3 concentrations in the bran within cultivars. Bran starch concentration affected the rankings of cultivars based on phytochemical contents. Expression of the γ‐oryanol concentration in bran after subtracting starch reduced the concentration differences resulting from differences in degree of milling (DOM). Bran from the mature thin kernels had phytochemical contents similar to that of the mature thick kernels milled for 30 sec. The immature thin kernels had significantly lower contents of most of the bran phytochemicals than did the mature kernel fractions.     

Surface Lipid and Free Fatty Acids (FFA) Content of Head and Broken Rice Produced by Milling After Different Drying Treatments

The surface lipids and free fatty acids (FFA) content of head and broken rice samples generated through milling after various drying treatments were studied. Long grain cultivars Francis, Wells, and Cypress, and medium grain cultivar Bengal were dried under three air conditions (mild 25°C, 50% rh; moderate 45°C, 40% rh; and stressed 65°C, 20% rh) for two durations (10 and 30 min). Immediately after drying, the rough rice samples were placed in a conditioning chamber to continue drying slowly to ⋍12.5% moisture content (MC), which occurred within three to five days. After dehulling, a McGill No. 2 mill was used to mill the samples for 30 sec. The head rice yield (HRY) for all rice samples were within the range of 40–68%. Rice surface lipid was extracted with isopropanol (IPA) and the lipid and FFA content of the IPA extracts were determined. Broken rice kernels had significantly greater surface lipid and FFA content than head rice kernels. The surface FFA contents of broken kernels were within the range of 0.045–0.065% of broken rice mass, while that of head rice was 0.027–0.040%. Broken ricehad greater b values indicating greater yellow color than did head rice.     

Effect of Moisture Content at Harvest and Degree of Milling (Based on Surface Lipid Content) on the Texture Properties of Cooked Long-Grain Rice

The effects of the degree of milling (based on surface lipids content [SLC]) on cooked rice physicochemical properties were investigated. Head rice yield (HRY), protein, and SLC decreased with increasing milling, while the percent of bran removed and whiteness increased. Results showed that SLC significantly (P < 0.05) affected milled as well as cooked rice properties across cultivar, moisture content (MC) at harvest, and location (Stuttgart, AR, and Essex, MO). Cooked rice firmness ranged from 90.12 to 111.26 N after milling to various degrees (SLC). The decrease in cooked rice firmness with increasing milling was attributed to the lowering of total proteins and SLC. Cooked rice water uptake increased with increasing degree of milling. Water uptake by the kernel during cooking dictated the cooked rice firmness. The increase in cooked rice stickiness with increasing degree of milling was attributed to an increase in starch leaching during cooking because of the greater starch granule swelling associated with a greater water uptake.     

Effect of Rice Kernel Thickness on Degree of Milling and Associated Optical Measurements

Three cultivars of long-grain rice were milled to three degree of milling (DOM) levels. Inverse linear relationships were established between surface fat concentration (SFC) and Satake milling meter (MM1B) optical DOM measurement values, including whiteness, transparency, and DOM, for the unfractionated head rice within each cultivar. Milled bulk rice for each cultivar was subsequently separated into thickness fractions. Effects of milled rice kernel thickness on SFC and optical DOM measurements were investigated. For a given DOM level, SFC decreased with increasing milled rice kernel thickness up to a thickness of 1.67 mm, after which it remained constant. As the overall DOM level increased, the difference in DOM between thin kernels and thick kernels lessened, implying that thin kernels were milled at a greater bran removal rate than thick kernels. Milled rice kernel thickness significantly (at the 0.05 significance level) affected MM1B whiteness and MM1B transparency in two of the cultivars because of the predominant effects of the thinner kernel fractions. Within each cultivar, MM1B DOM was not significantly influenced by milled rice kernel thickness.     

A Comparative Study Between the McGill #2 Laboratory Mill and Commercial Milling Systems

The degree of similarity between rice milled in a McGill #2 laboratory mill and commercial milling processes was evaluated using eight physical, physicochemical, and end‐use properties. There was no statistical difference between the two milling systems with respect to color parameters L* and a*, final viscosity, texture, and end‐use cooking properties (α = 0.05). Overall, the kernel dimensions of length, width, and thickness were less in the McGill #2 laboratory‐milled rice than the same rice milled commercially. The incidence of bran streaks and peak viscosity values were each higher when the rice sample was milled commercially in 27, and 28, respectively, of the 29 samples by means comparison. The decrease in kernel dimensions and incidence of bran streaks were attributed to the more aggressive nature of the single‐pass, batch milling system of the McGill #2 laboratory mill as compared with multipass, continuous milling systems that are used commercially. Finally, as surface lipid content (SLC) decreased, L* increased and a*, b*, and the incidence of bran streaks decreased for both milling systems.     

Rapid Methods for Milled Rice Surface Total Lipid and Free Fatty Acid Determination

Total lipids and free fatty acid (FFA) determination is widely used in the food industry to assess the quality of milled rice. An improved rapid ambient temperature isopropanol (IPA) extraction method to determine milled rice surface lipid was more effective than Soxhlet solvent extraction. The improved method was probably due to better extraction of polar lipids and antioxidants by IPA. A colorimetric method to determine FFA requiring only 30 μL of sample is also described. The new technique provides results similar to those obtained using the slower, conventional acid‐base titration method. The colorimetric FFA method requires a smaller sample size, has greater precision, and is more objective. The new methods are particularly suitable for industrial use in providing rapid results for large numbers of samples.     

Quantifying Surface Lipid Content of Milled Rice via Visible/Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Visible/near-infrared calibrations were developed and tested for surface lipid content (SLC) of milled long-grain rice. Three rice varieties were divided into two sample sets, with one containing two variables (degree of milling and variety) and another containing three variables (degree of milling, variety, and kernel thickness). The reflectance calibration equation from the set with three variables was much more accurate in predicting SLC than was the calibration from the two-variable set. Optimal calibration and prediction were obtained by combining both visible and near-infrared wavelength ranges and using the modified partial least squares technique on spectra pretreated by standard normal variate and first derivative methods. The best calibration yielded a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.99 and a standard error of prediction of 0.04% SLC, which was approximately 1.5 times the standard error of calibration and also 1.5 times the SLC measurement error.     

Use of microscopy to assess bran removal patterns in milled rice

During rice milling, the bran and germ are successively removed from the caryopsis (kernel). Because bran and germ contain large quantities of lipid, the amount of lipid remaining on the kernel surface may be used as a method for the assessment of milling quality. Bulk samples of rice pureline varieties and an experimental hybrid were milled for 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 s. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that brown rice kernels had large contours of linear protuberances and depressions running lengthwise along the kernel surface. The protuberances were abraded successively during milling, but varying amounts of material remained in the depressions. Light microscopy combined with the lipid-specific probes Nile Blue A or Sudan Black B demonstrated that the material in the depressions observed with SEM was lipid. Sections of whole, milled rice kernels, prepared using a modified sectioning technique and stained with Nile Blue A, showed that portions of the embryo remain after milling and that lipid is located on or near the surface of the kernel. Differences in quantity and distribution of residual lipid as milling duration increased were documented photographically to indicate the extent to which the bran and embryo components were removed during milling. This paper provides proof of concept that residual lipid is a robust measure of the degree of milling.     

Effect of Milling on the Color,Nutritional Properties,and Antioxidant Contents of Glutinous Black Rice

Dehulled glutinous black rice (cv. Kam Doi Saket) was abrasively milled (0–60 s) to make a degree of milling (DOM) curve. The curve showed a nonlinear relationship between milling time and DOM. The slope sharply increased in the first 20 s; after this point, the increase was moderate. The redness of grain and flour surprisingly increased after milling, and the highest value was found at 20 s of milling. Protein, fat, and crude fiber were not uniformly distributed in the dehulled rice kernel. The rice retained only 76.95, 32.79, 20.24, and 36.57% of protein, fat, crude fiber, and ash, respectively, after milling for 60 s. Anthocyanins, γ‐oryzanol, and α‐tocopherol decreased by 74.49, 55.35, and 70.36%, respectively, after 10 s of milling. The scavenging activity decreased sharply when milling was carried out for longer than 30 s. The methanolic extract from rice milled for 60 s showed the lowest activity, which was 21.1 times lower than that of the dehulled rice extract. It was concluded that milling for 20 s was sufficient to remove most of the bran layer of the black rice sample, but 10 s of milling retained higher contents of nutritional components and rice antioxidants.     

Nutraceutical Concentrations within the Bran of Various Rice Kernel Thickness Fractions

Several important nutraceutical compounds, such as tocotrienols, tocopherols, and oryzanols, can be extracted from rice bran, a by-product of milling. This study was conducted to not only provide information regarding nutraceutical concentrations within the rice kernel based on bran collected from successive milling, but also to determine levels of nutraceutical concentrations across several different thickness fractions. Nutraceutical compounds were measured in the bran from two long-grain rice varieties, Cypress and Drew. Rough rice was separated into three thickness fractions (<1·84, 1·84–1·98, and >1·98 mm) and each fraction milled for three successive 10 s milling durations. Bran was collected from each milling duration of each thickness fraction to allow quantification of the nutraceutical content. Results showed that bran collected from rice milled for longer durations (30 s) had lower levels of tocotrienols and tocopherols compared to bran from shorter milling durations (10 s). The highest concentration of oryzanols was in the rice bran from the first 10 s milling duration. Overall, compared to bran from thinner kernels (<1·84 mm), the bran from thicker kernel fractions contained a higher content of nutraceuticals.     

A Gas Chromatography Procedure for Determining Milled Rice Surface Lipid Content

Rice (Oryza sativa, L.) degree of milling (DM) is a quantification of the amount of bran that has been removed from kernels during the milling process. Historically it has been determined using a time-consuming continuous solvent extraction (CSE) procedure to measure the surface lipid content. The objective of this research was to develop a gas chromatography (GC) method for rice surface lipids. The GC procedure was highly correlated with several other methods for DM including a commonly used CSE procedure and it demonstrated repeatability within acceptable analytical limits. Other aspects in support of the utility of this procedure are that it requires a relatively small amount of sample, organic solvent, and technician time. Consequently, this GC method for rice surface lipids measurement is suitable for use in determining rice DM in cultivar development programs and studies that require the analysis of a large number of samples.     

Influence of Storing Rough Rice with High Moisture Content on Subsequent Drying Characteristics and Milling Quality

The objective of this research was to determine the influence on drying characteristics and resultant milling quality of storing high moisture content (MC) rough rice (Oryza sativa L. ‘Bengal’ and ‘Cypress’) under various conditions and durations before drying. Immediately after harvest, drying experiments were performed with samples of both cultivars using two drying air conditions: 52°C with 25% rh and 60°C with 17% rh. Rough rice from each cultivar also was stored for 27 and 76 days at ‐9 or 4°C. After storage, all samples were dried under the same two drying air conditions as at harvest. Head rice yields (HRY) were determined for all dried samples. There were no significant differences between the drying rates or resultant HRY of Bengal or Cypress rice samples stored for either 27 or 76 days at both storage temperatures and then dried compared with the HRY of samples dried immediately after harvest. This research shows that it may be possible to store high MC rice for extended periods of time without detrimental effects on HRY.