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FEATURES (August 25 – August 31,
2008) Harvest Time Sosimo Ma. Pablico Sprouted pigmented rice a rich source
of nutrients Food
chemists of Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice) have found that the unpolished pigmented rice when
sprouted, just like toge, is a rich source of fiber, iron, vitamins
and minerals. It also contains other
micronutrients needed by the human body. Dr. Marissa Romero,
who led the PhilRice food chemists, said sprouted pigmented rice can be
consumed “just like toge or mongo sprouts and can be eaten alone, as
viand, or as snack.” Also known as
de-hulled rice, the unpolished brown and pigmented rice is produced by
removing the hull or outer cover of the grains and, hence, the outer layer of
de-hulled rice is still intact compared to the totally polished rice produced
through conventional milling. Enumerating the possible
ways of preparing dishes from sprouted pigmented rice, Dr. Romero said it can
be cooked as fresh lumpia, fried rice sprinkled with sprouted brown
rice, chopsuey, or sautéed for viand.
“The list is endless, it depends on one’s imaginative ways in cooking,”
she added. She hastened to add,
however, that the idea of sprouting brown rice came from In their studies, it
was noted that germinated pigmented brown rice contains more iron (144
percent) than ordinary brown rice (128 percent). However, the sodium, zinc, vitamins E, B1
and B6 of both the germinated pigmented rice and ordinary brown rice
increased after sprouting. There was
also a minimal increase in protein, crude fat and carbohydrate. The PhilRice
chemists screened 46 local rice varieties to assess their potential in
producing nutritious and delicious brown rice. Pigmented rice proved to have better eating
quality than japonica and ordinary rice.
Likewise, pigmented rice has the highest sprouting ability. To produce sprouted
pigmented rice, remove the hull of rice grains first. Wash the brown rice and soak it for 24
hours before draining and air-drying it for another 24 hours. The de-hulled rice will sprout in the
process. According to Dr.
Romero, sprouted pigmented rice is more nutritious that ordinary rice because
sprouting activates the “sleeping enzymes” in the rice grains. Adoption of this
simple technology could help reduce micronutrient deficiency in the rural
areas. It is also expected that this
technology could stir interest in the local rice industry to invest on
sprouted pigmented rice. *** Treated CRH hasten
waste decomposition Carbonized
rice hull (CRH) treated with IMO
(indigenous microorganisms) can hasten the decomposition of farm wastes like
rice straw and weeds, deodorize pig pens and neutralize the odor of catch
ponds in swine farms, according to the Integrated Farming System staff in
Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. Municipal
agriculturist said the IMO-treated CRH contains molds, yeasts, lactobacilli,
photosynthetic bacteria, and other beneficial microorganisms. These organisms feed on the starch and
cellulose in the organic matter, thereby hastening decomposition. IMO-treated CRH is
easy to prepare. Dissolve 50 grams of
IMO in 2 liters of water and pour the solution over the CRH. Let it stand for 2-3 days and then mix it
with 25-30 kilos of CRH. The material
can be applied directly to the soil as conditioner and base material for
microbial activity. Ilocos Times copyright 2008 |
Features Cultural heritage of the
Church Sprouted pigmented rice a
rich source of nutrients Practical ways in attaining
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