BACKGROUND Panax japonicus C. A. Mey. is a rare traditional Chinese herbal medicine that uses ginsenosides as its main active ingredient. Rice does not produce ginsenosides because it lacks a key rate-limiting enzyme (β-amyrin synthase, βAS); however, it produces a secondary metabolite, 2,3-oxidosqualene, which is a precursor for ginsenoside biosynthesis. RESULTS In the present study, the P. ...

Rice-acid, a Chinese traditional acidic rice soup (rice-acid), is widely accepted by consumers due to its unique flavor and anti-oxidation, anti-aging immunity enhancement functions. This study confirmed that L-lactic acid malic were the main organic acids in rice-acid. Low-temperature rice-acid samples produced enterprises had highest signal intensity of sour taste. The total content free amin...

Functional properties of fermented bran produced by Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus sp. in a solid-state fermentation system were determined, with an aim to evaluate their application in food formulation. The defatted rice bran and wheat bran were inoculated with the spores of the cultures and incubated at 30°C for 72 h. Samples were withdrawn at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Protein content, protein sol...

A huge number of workers are employed in traditional rice mills where they are potentially exposed to dust. In this study a dust collection system was developed to capture the airborne dust in the rice mill. The feeding and sieving section of the mill was identified as major dust creating zone. The dust was captured by creating suitable air stream at feeding and sieving sections of the mill and...

Traditional rice cultivars in Sri Lanka conserve different abiotic and biotic tolerant traits but the yield of traditional rice cultivars is not as much of improved cultivars. Abiotic stress tolerance of some traditional rice cultivars were evaluated in previous studies at Faculty of Agriculture, Mapalana, Sri Lanka and this study attempted to understand the possibility of enhancing the yield a...