Rice Bran Oil - What We Should Know

1. Rice Bran Oil - What We Should Know * Rice bran oil for food use has been commercially produced in the United States by RITO since 1994. * Despite its similarities to other common vegetable oils, rice bran oil offers several unique properties that make it very interesting as a specialty oil in niche markets. * The bran fraction, which includes the germ or embryo in most commercial milling operations, represents only about 8% of paddy weight but contains about three-fourths of the total oil. * Containing about 15-20% oil (the same general range of soybeans), rice bran is commercially feasible for oil extraction.

2. Uses Of Rice Bran Oil * Rice bran wax, obtained from rice bran oil, is used as a substitute for carnauba wax in cosmetics, confectionery, shoe creams and polishing compounds. * It is an edible oil which is used in the preparation of vegetable ghee.

3. Health Benefits * A medically significant component of rice bran oil is the antioxidant γ-oryzanol, at around 2% of crude oil content. Rice bran oil is also rich in other phytosterols. * Rice bran oil and its active constituents improve blood cholesterol by reducing total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, and increasing the proportion of HDL cholesterol. * The rice bran oil component γ-oryzanol was shown in Japan to be effective in relieving hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Researchers found 90% of the women found some form of relief from hot flashes after taking a rice bran oil supplement for four to six weeks. * Rice bran oil include modulation of pituitary secretion, inhibition of gastric acid secretion, antioxidant action, inhibition of platelet aggregation, lowering of blood pressure and regulation of cholesterol.

4. As the women walk in the sunlight, the rice bran oil acts as a sort of sun screen to block a little of the sun's ultraviolet rays. Rice bran oil with its higher smoke point is good for baking bread, cookies, cakes, or frying.

5. Kitchen Functionality * The viscosity of rice bran oil is very light and is bland. Food cooked with Rice Bran Oil absorbs up to 15% to 20% less oil! Less oil absorbed results in reduced calories, better, lighter tasting food and enhanced flavour and palatability. Less oil absorbed also makes it more economical. * It is hypoallergenic. For those who have intolerance to other cooking oils this is an excellent alternative. * It has a very high smoke (burn) point, making it perfect for deep frying, pan or stirs frying and is a premium choice for the replacement of hydrogenated oil containing trans fat which has now been proved harmful for human health. * It creates less polymers (or is less greasy) than other oils meaning better flavour and easier clean-up.

6. Rice bran oil is mostly monounsaturated - a tablespoon contains 7 grams of monounsaturated fat, three of saturated fat and five of polyunsaturated fat.

14. Thank You! http://dir.indiamart.com/