Functional applications of bran and germ oils in food and pharmacy

Normally the bran and germ of most seeds contain large varieties of nutritious ingredients and also lipids. In this case, bran and germ of lot of grains like core, rice, wheat and so on are optimal resources for making oils. Rice bran oil (RBO) is derived from the outer layer and the embryo of rice, rich in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants and bioactive compounds.

RBO has neutral taste and high stability so that it is used widely in food industry. It serves as a nutritional cooking oil, used at home and in catering. It is also used as frying oil and baking oil in industry, contributing to golden color and pleasant flavor, extending shelf life, and improving texture in served food and snacks.

In pharmaceuticals, RBO is used in cosmeceuticals, as excipients, in nutraceuticals, and for lipid-based drug delivery. As more and more research focusing on antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity and antidiabetic activity is published, their potential application in medicine such as antioxidant supplementation and cholesterol management continues to be a focus of research and development.

In this presentation, advantage of RBO application in food industry and pharmaceuticals will be elaborated in details.