| Abstract: | The enzymes amylase, protease, phosphatase and β-glucosidase in rough rice (paddy) were activated during the soaking step of parboiling. The extent of activation of these enzymes varied with the soaking duration and the parboiling methods adopted. Highest activities were observed in the cold soaking method followed by the double steaming and household methods. β-Glucosidase activity was eliminated in the presteaming stage of the double steaming process. Hot soaking inactivated all these enzymes. The steam in the parboiling process inactivated the enzymes partly while the pressure parboiling process inactivated them totally. Studies with purified enzymes also revealed the activation of enzymes during soaking. Enzyme activity contributes to the loss of solids during soaking and also to the characteristic odor of parboiled rice. |
