Phytochemical Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> (Rice) Bran Oil Bodies in Crude and Purified Isolates

We describe a procedure for isolating and purifying oil bodies (OBs) from Oryza sativa bran, and present evidence that strongly suggests a physical association between the OB organelles and several antioxidant phytochemicals (γ-oryzanol and several tocochromanols). This suggestion arises from work showing that despite comprehensive washing steps (9 M urea, water), the majority of the tocotrienols and tocopherols (77 and 73 %, respectively) and oryzanols (91 %) remain integral to the oil bodies, not being released unless the latter are sacrificed. This in turn provides a valuable comparison with similar analyses of tocochromanols in other plant species, as well as indicating that rice bran, normally a waste product from the rice industry, may provide a valuable source of antioxidants as well as protein and unsaturated fat.