Effects of variety, early harvest, and germination on pasting properties and cooked grain texture of brown rice

Brown rice is superior to white rice in nutritional value and in the prevention of chronic diseases. However, it is not the preference of consumers and the relative consumption of brown rice is limited due to a number of factors including chewiness and perceived hard texture after cooking. While both early harvested brown rice and germinated brown rice have been shown to contain superior nutritional components, there is limited knowledge on textural properties of these types of brown rice relative to standard brown rice, and how varieties may affect such properties. Thus, the present study examined the effect of variety, early harvest, and germination on those properties of eight rice varieties with contrasting amylose content and known texture in terms of milled rice. Early harvest and germination decreased pasting viscosities and cooked grain hardness. However, their effect on the characteristics of flour and whole grains differed, in which germination had a greater effect on pasting properties, while early harvest on the texture of cooked grains. The softer texture of brown rice, about 32% lower, could be achieved by germination and 46% by harvesting early. There was a good relationship between pasting characteristics, particularly setback and hardness among different varieties in brown rice, germinated brown rice, and also in early harvest brown rice. This is the first time the comparison of texture between the three brown rice types has been reported. The results also provide new options for the selection of desired characteristics for food processing and brown rice consumption.