This cereal, regardless of the process conditions, is present in the daily diet of consumers as an important food in healthy diets, rich in phenolic compounds, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and oryzanol (Liu 2007; Gani et Pascual et al., 2013). The functional and nutritional benefits present in rice stimulate the consumption of brown rice, as its intake helps to regulate and prevent the risk of chronic diseases associated with oxidative damage, cardiovascular diseases, and other diseases. This is due to the tocotrienols, sterols, and γ-oryzanol content with high antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and inhibition in the tumor formation (Mira et al., 2008; Butsat & Siriamornpun, 2010; Goufo & Trindade, 2014). Unsaponifiable fraction components of rice, with approximately 50% -oryzanol, have an important functional value due to their antioxidant capacity that inhibits or delays oxidative reactions. These effects are associated not only with the unsaponifiable matter composition but also with the saponifiable components present in rice such as fatty acids (Chim et al., 2006; Walter et al., 2008). Based on the above, this work aimed to study the profile of fatty acids in crude, white and parboiled rice (Oryza sativa L.) marketed in Brazil and Italy.
MATERIAL AND METHODSItalian rice samples (Oryza sativa L.), Japanese subspecies, and superfine and long classification were acquired in a rice processing plant in the Vale do Pó, in the region of Ferrara, Emiglia Romagna. Brazilian processed rice samples (Oryza sativa L.), Japanese subspecies, of type 1 -superfine and long classification, were provided by a rice processor from the region of Itajaí Valley, Santa Catarina. The experimental study was carried out at the Food Chemistry Laboratory, at the Pharmacy Department at the University of Ferrara (UNIFE), and the Food Rice stands out as the most consumed cereal in the world because it is a source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, bioactive compounds, and unsaturated fatty acids. Based on this assumption, the objective of this work was to qualify and quantify fatty acids, in samples consisting of raw, integral, parboiled, and white rice marketed in southern Brazil (Vale do Itajaí) and the Vale do Pó region in northern Italy. The results of this work demonstrate that 95% of the total lipid content, in the respective rice typologies of both countries, is represented by palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acid. These results indicate that the technological processes influence the nutritional and functional quality of the rice grain in these countries. Regarding the content of total polyphenols, the maximum average value obtained was 477 g Eq g -1 for rice from both countries and the best results for antioxidant activity, using the Photoquem® method with methanolic extract, was 3.43 µM Eq Trolox g -1 for the Italian rice samples. These results indicate that the technological processes influence the nutritional and functional quality of rice grain from these countries.
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