Combating free radicals with rice bran and palm oil

In rice-producing Malaysia, rice bran is a rice-milling by-product that is normally considered wasteful. However, researchers at University Putra Malaysia have developed antioxidant neutraceutical formulations from rice bran oil and palm oil.

Title of project: E-ORY—Natural Antioxidant Rich Nutraceutical Formulation
Researchers: Maznah Ismail and Abdul Salam Abdullah

In rice-producing Malaysia, rice bran is a rice-milling by-product that is normally considered wasteful. However, researchers at University Putra Malaysia have found potent antioxidants from rice bran oil and palm oil, both of which are easily available locally.

They have taken their research further and developed it into a new formulation of nutraceutical product called E-ORY, which has double strength protection against oxidation. The combination of 3 potent antioxidants (tocopherol, tocotrienol and gamma-oryzanol) with a high ratio of Tocotrienol:Tocopherol (3.28) helps combat a wide spectrum of oxidation-induced diseases. The antioxidant rich formulation helps prevent free radicals from damaging cells in our body.

Apart from the high level of antioxidants, E-ORY is low in saturated fatty acids but at optimum levels of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids best for maintenance of a healthy heart.

Findings from in vivo and human feeding trial based on single blind cross over design for a period of 24 weeks conducted in University Putra Malaysia concluded that E-ORY reduced total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol but increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol.

The LDL to HDL ratio of the subjects was also reduced. More importantly, this product has improved plasma antioxidant status of the subjects. In addition E-ORY has been formulated for enhanced bioavailability of the antioxidants. The absorption of oryzanol in the formulation has been increased in the presence of tocotrienol. The antioxidant function of the combined active components working in synergy against cholesterol oxidation had contributed to the benefit of the formulation.

E-ORY is safe as dietary supplement for normal and those with high cholesterol level. Realisation of this formulation for commercial production provides significant health benefits paralleled to the economic impact on the utilization of rice bran, an important rice-milling by-product that is otherwise considered wasteful.

For more information, please contact

Dr. Nayan KANWAL
Email: [email protected]

Published: 09 Sep 2007

Contact details:

Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia

+603 8947 1622
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