The classical and potential novel healthy functions of rice bran protein and its hydrolysates

Abstract

Rice bran protein (RBP) is a plant protein obtained from rice bran, a byproduct produced during rice milling process. It has been proved to be a high quality protein due to containing all of the essential amino acids and the content closing to the FAO/WHO recommended ideal pattern. Recent studies indicated that RBP and rice bran protein hydrolysates (RBPH) served variety biological functions. In this review, we summarized the classical functions of RBP and RBPH mediating antioxidant activity, chronic diseases prevention (such as antihypertensive effect, anti-diabetic effect, cholesterol-lowering activity), and anti-cancer effect. We also proposed their potential novel functions on anti-obesity effect, attenuating sarcopenia, promoting wound healing. Furthermore, the potential benefit to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients was put forward, which might provide new strategy for development and utilization of RBP and RBPH.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• RBP
• hydrolysates
• antioxidant
• chronic diseases prevention
• anti-cancer
• novel functions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Beijing Nova Program under grant Z181100006218043; the Beijing Natural Science Foundation under grant 7172210; and the National Natural Science foundation of China under grant 81471873.