Thermomechanical Transitions of Rice Kernels

Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the thermal transitions of long‐grain rice kernels. Three distinct thermomechanical transitions were identified as rice kernels were heated from 0 to 200°C. The identified transitions were a low temperature transition with onset at ≈45°C, an intermediate temperature transition at ≈80°C, and a high temperature transition at ≈180°C. Low temperature transition with onset from ≈60°C at 5% moisture content (MC) to 30°C at 20% MC was identified as the glass transition of the rice kernels. Intermediate temperature transition from 60 to 100°C, depending on MC, may be caused by rapid evaporation of moisture in the rice kernels. High temperature transition was associated with melting of the crystalline structure of rice starch. The temperatures of all three transitions decreased as MC increased, confirming that moisture acted as a plasticizer in rice kernels.     

Impact of Soaking Temperature and Duration on Fissure Incidence of Rough Rice Kernels

Internal stresses owing to moisture and temperature gradients often result in the development of rice kernel fissures. Fissured rough rice kernels tend to break upon milling and potentially reduce the market value of rice. This work was conducted on the premise that fissures may be healed by soaking in water at a specific temperature and duration. Fissured rough rice kernels of a long‐grain cultivar, Wells, were selected by X‐ray imaging. Fissured kernels were soaked in a water bath at six soaking temperatures (22, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80°C) and three soaking durations (1, 2, and 3 h) and then gently dried for characterization. X‐ray images revealed that soaking at 75°C for 3 h healed up to 70.0% of the fissured kernels. Soaking at 22, 60, or 65°C did not result in healing. For normal kernels, soaking at different temperatures for 3 h created fissures. Bending tests using a texture analyzer showed that brown rice breaking force increased from 18.5 N (fissured kernels) to 43.7 N (healed kernels). Soaking rough rice in water at a temperature slightly above its onset gelatinization temperature may potentially heal fissures.     

Effect of Storage Temperature for Paddy on Consumer Perception of Cooked Rice

Effect of storage temperature (ST) (5, 15, and 25°C) for paddy on the consumer perception of cooked rice (CR) was investigated with six major rice cultivars in Korea (Ilmibyeo, Chucheongbyeo, Ilpumbyeo, Hwayeongbyeo, Nampyeongbyeo, and Odaebyeo) after 12 months of storage. Germination rate (GR) of the paddy, grading characteristics (percentages of head rice, broken kernels, damaged kernels, colored kernels and chalky kernels) of milled rice (MR) kernels, texture profile analysis (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and chewiness) and color (L*, a*, and b*) of CR were measured. Also, consumer testing on CR was done with 108 consumers. Consumers evaluated acceptability for odor, appearance, taste, texture, and overall purchase intent, and willingness to pay (WTP) of CR. After 12 months of storage, physicochemical characteristics of MR and CR were significantly different depending on ST. The significant difference among three ST of paddy was noted for GR, color b* value, fat acidity of MR, and overall consumer acceptability of CR. The GR was constant during 12 months of storage at 5°C, whereas a significant decrease of GR was noted for all six cultivars within 12 months of storage at 25°C. The average WTP for rice stored at 5°C for 12 months was $U.S. 45.68/20 kg, whereas WTP for rice stored at 15°C and 25°C were $U.S. 44.19/20 kg and $U.S. 41.87/20 kg, respectively, implying the importance of ST on grain quality and product value by consumers. Overall consumer acceptability had high correlation coefficient with WTP (r = 0.985). Overall consumer acceptability had highest correlation with GR of paddy (r = 0.861), followed by b* value of CR (r = –0.826), fat acidity (r = –0.768), cohesiveness (r = 0.733), and hardness (r = –0.650) of CR by TA, implying GR of paddy and b* value of CR could be used as indicators for eating quality of rice.     

Effect of Presoaking on Textural,Thermal, and Digestive Properties of Cooked Brown Rice

Brown rice kernels (japonica type) were soaked in water at different temperatures (25 or 50°C) before cooking to a moisture content of 20 or 30%. Soaked brown rice was cooked in either the soaking water (SW) or in distilled water (DW) (rice solids to water ratio 1:1.4). Color, texture, and in vitro digestive properties of the cooked rice were examined. When the soaking temperature was higher (50°C vs. 25°C), water absorption and starch leaching were greater. To reach 20% moisture, the rice required 1 hr of soaking at 50°C but 2 hr of soaking at 25°C. Both the moisture content of the soaked rice and the soaking temperature affected the texture of the cooked brown rice. Rice that attained 20% moisture content during soaking was harder and less adhesive when cooked compared with rice that attained 30% moisture content. The rice soaked at 50°C was slightly softer but more adhesive when cooked than rice soaked at 25°C. The soaking temperature and moisture content of the rice kernels also affected the digestive properties of the cooked rice. The cooked brown rice that had attained 30% moisture before cooking was digested to a greater extent than rice that had attained 20% moisture. Even at equal moisture content, the rice soaked at the higher temperature (50°C) was digested more readily. It was assumed that the amount of soluble material leached during soaking differed according to the soaking temperature and moisture content, which subsequently affected the texture and digestive properties of the cooked brown rice. The rice cooked in its own soaking water was harder and more adhesive, had higher levels of resistant starch (RS), and exhibited smaller glycemic index (GI) values than its counterpart cooked with distilled water. This result indicated that the soluble material leached during soaking made the cooked rice harder and less digestible, perhaps due to interactions between these molecules and the gelatinized rice during cooking.     

Milled Rice Breakage Due to Environmental Conditions

Milled, long-grain rice was exposed to air at temperatures (T) of 20, 30, and 40°C, and relative humidities (RH) ranging from 25 to 85%. The kernels then were subjected to a breakage test to determine the extent of damage that occurred during each exposure condition. Increasing air T levels produced higher amounts of broken kernels across the RH range. Milled rice at higher moisture content (MC) levels sustained more extensive stress crack damage at low RH conditions and less stress crack damage at high RH conditions relative to milled rice at lower MC levels. Varietal differences were also present, but were overshadowed by MC effects.     

Effects of Rough Rice Storage Conditions on the Amylograph and Cooking Properties of Medium-Grain Rice cv. Bengal

Rough rice (cv. Bengal) was stored at four moisture contents (8.8, 10.7, 12.9, and 13.6% MC) and three temperatures (3, 20, and 37°C) for up to six months. The amylograph overall paste viscosity of the milled rice increased during storage. This increase was most apparent in all samples stored at 37°C. For rice stored at 20 and 37°C at all MC levels, a 30–50% increase in peak viscosity (PV) was observed during the first three months of storage. PV subsequently leveled off for rice stored at 12.9 and 13.6% MC but declined for samples stored at 8.8 and 10.7% MC. The final viscosities also increased during storage. The water-absorption ratio of the samples during cooking in excess water increased by an average of 15% over six months of storage. The amylograph and cooking properties were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by rough rice storage duration, temperature, MC, and their respective interactions.     

Impacts of Delayed Drying on Discoloration and Functionality of Rice

In‐bin, on‐farm drying systems for rough rice present challenges for maintaining kernel quality when drying fronts stall and the top layer of grain maintains its harvest moisture content (MC) for extended periods. This high MC, in addition to ambient temperatures in early autumn in the Mid‐South United States, creates ideal conditions for quality losses to occur. This study evaluated the effects of rough rice storage at MCs of 12.5, 16, 19, and 21% for up to 16 weeks at temperatures of 20, 27, and 40°C on milling yields, kernel color, and functionality of three long‐grain cultivars. Head rice yield was negatively impacted only after other reductions in quality had occurred. Temperature‐specific discoloration patterns were observed at 27 and 40°C in 2014; the uniquely discolored kernels seen in 2014 at 27°C were absent from samples in 2015 under identical conditions. Peak viscosity, breakdown, and final viscosity tended to increase over storage duration at 20 and 27°C and all storage MCs but plateaued after 8 weeks. Storage of rice at 40°C and all MCs greatly reduced peak viscosity after 6 weeks. To prevent quality losses, in‐bin dryers should be monitored closely to avoid exceeding the thresholds of storage MC, temperature, and duration identified here.     

Retrogradation Mechanism of Rice Starch

The non‐Newtonian behavior and dynamic viscoelasticity of rice starch (Akihikari, 18.8% amylose content) solutions after storage at 25 and 4°C for 24 hr were measured with a rheogoniometer. The flow curves, at 25°C, of Akihikari starch showed plastic behavior >3.0% (w/v) after heating at 100°C for 30 min. The dynamic viscoelasticity of the starch increased after storage at 25 and 4°C for 24 hr and stayed at a constant value with increasing temperature. A small dynamic modulus of rice starch was observed upon addition of urea (4.0M) at low temperature (0°C), but it produced a sigmoid curve when plotted against increasing temperature. A small dynamic modulus was also observed in 0.05M NaOH solution. However, it increased rapidly after the temperature reached 70°C. Possible models of retrogradation mechanism of rice starch were proposed.     

Effect of Dry Heating with Ionic Gums at Controlled pH on Starch Paste Viscosity

Waxy maize and potato starches were dispersed in pH 6.0 and 8.0 aqueous solutions (1%) of an ionic gum (sodium alginate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and xanthan). The mixture was dried at 45°C overnight and then heat‐treated 2 hr at 130°C. Effects on the paste viscosity of the products in a pH 7.0 buffer were examined. Heating with sodium alginate or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) increased the paste viscosity of waxy maize starch but reduced that of potato starch. In both starches, xanthan effected greater viscogram changes than did sodium alginate or CMC. Use of xanthan in the treatment produced products with restricted granular swelling and increased shear stability of the pastes. The pH of the starch‐gum mixtures affected the thermally induced viscosity changes. Mild acidity (pH 6.0) effected a viscosity decrease for the heat‐treated starch product, whereas alkalinity (pH 8.0) raised the viscosity regardless of the presence of gum. But pH 6 before heat treatment was favored for viscosity increase by sodium alginate, whereas pH 8 gave a greater increase in viscosity when xanthan was used. By using gum mixtures such as xanthan‐alginate and xanthan‐CMC, both viscosity increase and good shear‐stability were achieved.     

Effects of Rough Rice Storage Conditions on Gelatinization and Retrogradation Properties of Rice Flours

Changes in gelatinization and retrogradation properties of two rice cultivars, Bengal and Kaybonnet, during rough rice storage were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The storage variables included two storage moisture contents (12 and 14%), three storage temperatures (4, 21, and 38°C), and four storage durations (0, 3, 9, and 16 weeks). Rough rice cultivar, storage temperature, moisture content, and duration affected (P < 0.05) the enthalpies and temperatures of gelatinization and retrogradation of rice flour. Bengal had a higher gelatinization enthalpy (P < 0.005) but lower gelatinization temperatures (P < 0.0001) than the long-grain Kaybonnet. Rice stored at 38°C exhibited higher gelatinization enthalpy and temperatures (P < 0.05) than those stored at 4 or 21°C. Storage duration affected the gelatinization and retrogradation properties through a higher order, rather than a linear, relationship.     

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.     

Small‐Scale Induction of Postharvest Yellowing of Rice Endosperm

Rice endosperm often develop a yellow discoloration during commercial storage in conditions of high temperature and moisture, thereby reducing the value of the grain. This postharvest yellowing (PHY) appears to be coincidental with fungal presence. To study the yellowing process in a controlled manner, we developed a technique to induce PHY on a small, laboratory scale. Milled rice kernels were rinsed with water and incubated in clear test tubes or microfuge tubes at 65–80°C. This allowed direct observation of the color change and measurement using a colorimeter. Every rice cultivar tested (long and medium grain japonicas and indicas) showed some level of PHY, which increased with temperature yielding a maximum color change at 79°C. Most color change occurred within one day. The moisture parameters required for yellowing to occur were measured. Using sterilization and culture techniques, we found no indications of direct fungal involvement in the yellowing process.     

Wheat Starch Effects on the Textural Characteristics of Puffed Brown Rice Cakes

A process was described for creating puffed wheat starch based or hybrid starch and rice snack foods processed in a rice cake puffing machine. Puffed cakes consisting of wheat starch and whole grain brown rice, created by mixing wheat starch beads with brown rice before processing and puffing for 10 sec (cooking time) at 210°C, exhibited greater flexibility and fracture strength than traditional rice cakes. The density of puffed wheat starch cakes decreased with increasing moisture content independent of particle size for particles 0.8–5 mm in diameter. The addition of sucrose and shortening promoted the formation of lower density puffed cakes at lower moistures, while salt had little effect.     

Preservation of Head Rice Yield Under High‐Temperature Tempering as Explained by the Glass Transition of Rice Kernels

Tempering has been shown in literature to preserve head rice yield after heated air drying. Most reported tempering work was done adiabatically at a temperature below that for rice drying. In this study, the effect of a tempering temperature above that for rice drying on the whole kernel percentage was investigated. High‐temperature tempering is an effective way to preserve the whole kernel percentage for rice dried at a raised temperature (e.g., 60°C) at which head rice yield would otherwise incur a pronounced reduction without tempering. Tempering helped relax the strains inside a rice kernel induced by internal stresses developed during the drying process. The strains had two components (elastic component and viscous component) due to the viscoelasticity of rice kernels. The reduction of moisture content gradients inside a rice kernel during tempering helped eliminate the elastic component of the strains due to the elasticity of the rice kernel. Results showed that to effectively eliminate the viscous component of the strains due to the viscosity of the rice kernel, tempering temperatures must be kept well above the glass transition temperature of the rice kernel. A tempering temperature below the glass transition temperature failed to preserve the whole kernel percentage. For example, with a tempering temperature of 80°C and a tempering duration of 80 min, the whole kernel percentage for the rice with an initial moisture content of 20.4% wb dried at 60°C and 17% rh for 120 min down to 10.2% wb (10.2 percentage points of moisture content removal in one drying pass) was preserved to a level close to that of the control sample.     

Effects of Additives and Storage Temperature on Staling Properties of Bagels

The effects of xanthan gum, Novamyl (a type II α‐amylase), Instant Tender‐Jel C starch (a modified starch), and GMS‐90‐SSK (a hydrated monoglyceride) on the staling properties of bagels stored at 4 and 22°C from 0–7 days were studied. Texture analysis and moisture determination were conducted on the bagels before lyophilization. Analysis of percent soluble starch, crumb pasting (Rapid Visco Analyser) and degree of amylopectin recrystallization (differential scanning calorimeter) were conducted on lyophilized bagel crumb. Novamyl‐treated bagels appeared to be the most resistant to staling over time at both storage temperatures in relation to the enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH). Bagels containing xanthan gum, Instant Tender‐Jel C starch, and GMS‐90‐SSK showed some improvements over the control bagels, although the effects of the additives on the characteristics of the bagels varied. Bagels made with xanthan gum or monoglyceride retained slightly higher crumb moisture percentages over most days of storage. The monoglyceride‐treated bagels had higher enthalpy values, lower percentages of soluble starch, and a higher pasting profile but had the softest texture. The apparent onset of increased staling of the monoglyceride‐ treated bagels was attributed to complexes formed with the starch fractions.     

Flavor Retention and Physical Properties of Rice Cakes Prepared from Coated Rice Grain

Flavored rice cakes are produced commercially by spraying a flavor coating on the cake surface. This study describes a method of making a flavored coating that is applied to individual rice grains before puffing and results in a more uniform flavor distribution. Rice was coated at 5% or 10% levels with coating materials made of jet‐cooked (JC) starch or starch cooked in a water bath (WB), corn starch powder, salt, and a flavor compound. The viscosity of coating materials made with WB starch was twice that of coatings made of JC starch. Rice coated at 10% level had decreased specific density of rice cakes. Rice cakes made from coated grain were similar in appearance to cakes made from uncoated rice but had higher flexural strength. Retention of flavor volatiles after puffing the coated grain was 82.8–56.8% for apple, 72.5–40.3% for anise, and 52.5–24.8% for onion flavor. The flavor volatiles measured in the rice cakes decreased during a three‐month storage period to 49.3% for apple, 25.8% for anise, and 10.1% for onion flavor. Slightly higher retention of flavor volatiles was observed in cakes made with WB starch than in cakes made with JC starch. The difference in retention of flavor volatiles between starch slurry or starch‐oil emulsion treatments was small.     

Glassy State Transition and Rice Drying: Development of a Brown Rice State Diagram

The effect of moisture content (MC) on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of individual brown rice kernels of Bengal, a medium‐grain cultivar, and Cypress, a long‐grain cultivar, was studied. Three methods were investigated for measuring T_g: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Among these methods, TMA was chosen, because it can also measure changes in the thermal volumetric coefficient (β) of the kernel during glass transition. TMA‐measured T_g at similar MC levels for both cultivars were not significantly different and were combined to generate a brown rice state diagram. Individual kernel T_g for both cultivars increased from 22 to 58°C as MC decreased from 27 to 3% wb. Linear and sigmoid models were derived to relate T_g to MC. The linear model was sufficient to describe the property changes in the MC range encountered during rice drying. Mean β values across both cultivars in the rubbery state was 4.62 × 10^‐4/°C and was higher than the mean β value of 0.87 × 10^‐4/°C in the glassy state. A hypothetical rice drying process was mapped onto the combined state diagram generated for Bengal and Cypress.     

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.     

Impact of Soaking and Drying Conditions on Rice Chalkiness as Revealed by Scanning Electron Microscopy

Chalkiness is one of the most influential factors on head rice yield. Parboiling is known to be an effective way to remove chalkiness and improve head rice yield. However, the steps involved in the removal of chalkiness are still not completely resolved. This study investigated the effects of soaking temperature, soaking duration, and drying conditions on the removal of rice chalkiness. Chalky brown rice kernels were selected and soaked at 25, 65, 70, or 75°C for 3 h. After 1, 2, or 3 h, the rice samples were frozen before drying or immediately dried. Soaking at 25°C did not remove chalkiness and caused no morphological change in starch granules. When the soaking temperature increased from 25 to 65, 70, and 75°C, the chalkiness decreased from 100% to 34.1, 29.7, and 15.9%, respectively. Soaking rice at temperatures above the starch glass transition temperature but below the gelatinization temperature reduced chalkiness owing to rearrangement of starch granules and protein denaturation to fill the void spaces in the chalky area. During soaking, the morphology of starch granules also changed from round to angular in shape. Drying at temperatures above the starch glass transition temperature also facilitated rearrangement of starch granules to further reduce rice chalkiness.     

Creep Deformation Modeling of Glutinous Rice Cakes (Mochi)

The viscoelastic properties of glutinous rice cakes (mochi) made by extrusion at different conditions (water contents of 45–55% and barrel temperatures of 75–95°C) and commercial rice cakes were studied by a creep test. The maximum compliances of extruded mochi were 0.15–4.23 1/kPa. Among the extruded samples, the mochi extruded at 75°C with a water content of 55% was the one that yielded the largest maximum compliance. At the same barrel temperature, the creep compliance increased with the water content. Four models with different numbers of elements (spring and dashpot) were employed to fit the experimental data. The model coefficients were able to provide the corresponding elastic and viscous behavior of the sample. The 3‐element model (a spring in series with a Kelvin‐Voigt model) did not exhibit steady‐state compliance as observed in the experimental data. The 4‐element (Burger's model), modified 4‐element (an approximation of Burger's model), and 6‐element model (adding one more Kelvin model to the Burger's model) yielded R² > 0.99. Results showed that the 4‐element model was adequate to describe the creep behavior of mochi.