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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160467

Title: THE MEASUREMENT OF CAROTENOIDS IN STACKBURN RICE

Author
item Miller, Helen

Submitted to: Carotenoid Gordon Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/8/2003
Publication Date: 1/4/2004
Citation: Miller, H.B. 2004. The measurement of carotenoids in stackburn rice. Carotenoid Gordon Conference, Ventura, CA, Jan. 4-9, 2004.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Yellow rice that occurs during poor storage conditions is called stackburn. Stackburn rice is discarded by commercial rice mills but may contain carotenoids. We developed a novel use of synchronous fluorescence spectrometry to non-destructively identify the presence of carotenoids in a single kernel. Our technique takes advantage of two characteristics of the yellowed rice kernel: the high absorptivity of carotenoids and the high autofluorescence of rice endosperm. We have confirmed that the discarded yellow kernels contain carotenoids. We have also developed a small (test tube) scale system for investigating the induction of carotenoids during stackburn. Every rice cultivar tested underwent stackburn to some extent. The induction of carotenoid synthesis requires a high temperature of around 70oC and requires a fairly specific water content. And, while the literature indicates a fungal component to stackburn, we have eliminated this possibility in our system.