A simple chemical method for stabilization of rice bran

Abstract

Abstract A new simple chemical method for stabilization of rice bran is described. The process, based on the principle that lipase activity will be low at low pH, uses hydrochloric acid at 40 l/ton of bran for lowering the pH of rice bran from 6.9–6.0 to 4.0. The acid can be applied easily by sprinkling or spraying. The operation on small lots can be done by hand mixing of bran, but it is more efficient and effective if mechanical mixing, like a rotary or a trough mixer, is used. This simple method, which takes less than 4 min for a batch of 15 kg, will be useful for stabilization of rice bran in rice mills or where steam or electricity is unavailable. The process is being evaluated in commercial trials.