Health benefits may fuel rice bran oil growth by 50 per cent

The consumption of rice bran oil (RBO) in India is likely to increase by 50 per cent over the next three years to 11 lakh tonnes due to increasing consumer demand because of the oil's health benefits.

India produced and consumed about 7.5 lakh tonnes of RBO in 2006-07 after processing about 40 lakh tonnes of rice bran. Of this, edible grade oil accounted for about 5.5 lakh tonnes and non edible grade oil the rest. In 2005-06, the country produced 7 lakh tonnes of this premium variety edible oil.

RBO is a unique vegetable oil produced from the outer brown layer (skin) of rice which is removed in the form of rice bran during the polishing process of rice. Besides, having an ideally balanced fatty acid profile, it is rich in natural antioxidants and unique nutraceuticals.

A substantial quantity of the rice husk is used as fuel in remote Indian villages where people are not fully aware of its potential as edible oil. Scientifically, RBO offers health benefits and no side effects.

"India has the potential to produce and consume about 13 lakh tonnes of RBO and we are advancing towards that year after year. We will achieve this milestone in the very near future," said B V Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors' Association of India. 
 

COMPOSITION OF COMMON VEGETABLE OILS
Oil	Saturated fatty  acids (SFA)	Monounsaturated fatty  acids (MUFA)	Polyunsaturated  fatty  acid (PUFA)	Essential  fatty  acids,  (linoleic  acid-Omega6, alpha linoleic  acid-Omega3)	Antioxidants
Mustard /  Rapessed	6	67	27	2	Tocopherols
Sunflower	12	21	67	57	Tocopherols
Safflower	10	15	75	69	Tocopherols
Soyabeen	16	24	62	10	Tocopherols
Groundnut	20	50	30	32	Tocopherols
Rice Bran	20	45	35	15	Tocopherols  &  Oryzanol
Recommended	<33	>33	33	5-10	Maximum  possible
Figures in per cent

Today, our production and consumption is equal, Mehta added.

RBO is considered as a healthy heart oil because of the presence of the unique component 'oryzenol' in it. According to industry sources, oryzenol is present only in rice bran oil and, therefore, it cannot be replaced with any other vegetable oils. RBO reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) without adversely affecting the good cholesterol (HDL), thus balancing the cholesterol level in the body. It is widely used as premium edible oil globally.

RBO is the only oil with three antioxidants and has anti dandruff and anti itching properties. It delays the formation of wrinkles, reduces the incidence of strokes, helps diabetic patients and has anti cancer properties. It is less sticky, has a long shelf life and is nutritionally superior.

"Fatty acid compositions in rice bran oil are close to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. RBO is known as 'heart oil' in Japan and as 'health food' in America. Hence, the same status should be given to this oil in India as well," Mehta urged.

This can be possible only through growing consumer demand and by increasing the awareness of people, Mehta said.

India is the second largest producer of paddy in the world after China, contributing about 23 per cent to the total world paddy production. This offers immense potential for RBO production in the country. India produces the purest form of RBO with the IICT technology that keeps fatty acid at the minimum level.