The effect of germination on the antioxidant capacity of pigmented and non-pigmented rice was investigated.The blackish purple Superjami, reddish-brown Superhongmi, and ordinary non-pigmented brown rice were germinated for 72 h. The germinated rice grains were extracted with 80% methanol and their antioxidant activities and compounds were analyzed. Germination substantially increased the free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ferrous chelating ability, and superoxide dismutase activity in all the rice samples. The anthocyanin, tannin, phenolic, phytic acid, tocopherol, and tocotrienol contents were markedly higher in germinated rice compared to those of the non-germinated ones. The pigmented varieties exhibited greater antioxidant capacity and higher amounts of antioxidant compounds than the non-pigmented brown rice in both germinated and non-germinated forms. Superjami showed higher antioxidant activities and anthocyanin, phenolic, tocopherol, and tocotrienol contents than Superhongmi. These findings illustrate that germination could increase the antioxidant compounds and enhance the antioxidant capacity of pigmented rice which may be useful as functional foods.Keywords: pigmented rice, germination, antioxidant activity, antioxidant compounds
IntroductionGermination has been shown to improve the nutritional value and increase the amount of bioactive compounds in various cereal grains including rice, oat, wheat, and barley (Hubner and Arendt, 2013). It has also been reported that germination could improve the texture and eating quality of brown rice (Wu et al., 2013b). This process involves soaking of the grains in water for a few days to induce slight germination. The rice is considered germinated when the primary root is already visible (Moongngarm and Khomphiphatkul, 2011). A number of studies have shown that germinated rice possesses various pharmacological properties, such antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemia, antioxidant, and anticancer (Mohd Esa et al., 2013;Patil and Khan, 2011;Wu et al., 2013b).Biochemical changes occur during germination of rice which causes softening of the endosperm and an increase in nutrient bioavailability (Islam and Becerra, 2012;Patil and Khan, 2011).Pigmented rice varieties are rice grains with colored pericarp and have been shown to have higher amounts of nutrients and greater antioxidant capacity than ordinary non-pigmented rice (Laokdiluk et al., 2011;Kang et al., 2013). A study conducted by Nam et al. (2005) revealed that extracts from pigmented rice brans have anticancer and antimutagenic properties. Moreover, consumption of pigmented rice has been associated with reduced risk of developing hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease (Ling et al., 2001). Due to the high antioxidant potential and functional properties of pigmented rice, new lines of this variety with enhanced biofunctional properties are continuously being developed and produced. In Korea, new pigmented rice varieties, Superjami and Superhongmi, have been recently developed through conventional breedin...