PROCESS OPTIMIZATION FOR EXTRACTING TOCOPHEROL AND γ-ORYZANOL CONTENTS IN RICE BRAN USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Abstract

     Tocopherol and γ-oryzanol compounds are phytochemicals with antioxidant activitiesand potential health benefits. Their contents and isomer ratios in rice bran varyamong Mekong River Delta cultivars, suggesting that breeding for higher contents ora favorable ratio of these phytochemicals is feasible. Response surface methodology(RSM) was employed to optimize the process conditions for the direct solvent,microwave and ultrasonic-assisted extraction of these phytochemicals with methanolas the extraction solvent. The results showed that optimal conditions for extractingthese phytochemicals were as follows: methanol/rice bran ratio of 16 (weight/weight);extraction temperature of 51-55ºC and the extraction time of 9-10 minutes.

Key words: Phytochemical; tocopherol; γ-oryzanol; RSM.