EFFECT OF FLUIDIZED BED DRYING ON STABILIZATION OF RICE BRAN

ABSTRACT

Rice bran was treated in a batch fluidized bed at temperatures starting from 90°C up to 130°C in steps of 10°C for different treatment periods. Drying characteristics of rice bran so obtained were used in a mathematical model to predict the maximum possible storage period of rice bran treated under fluidizing conditions. It was observed that the fluidized bed treatment of rice bran requires much lower treatment times for stabilization of rice bran compared with packed bed processes and therefore could be very attractive in commercial applications.