Rice Bran Protein: Extraction, Nutraceutical Properties, and Potential Applications

Rice bran protein, a plant protein derived from rice bran, is a highly versatile and potential ingredient in the development of functional and nutritional foods. The aim of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview on the nutritional and healthy properties of rice bran proteins including balanced amino acid composition, hypoallergenicity, and antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticancer activity. Furthermore, detailed and updated extraction methods including alkali extraction, addition of dissociating agents, enzymatic hydrolysis, and physical treatment are summarized and compared; the functionality change of rice bran protein against the extraction methods are also analyzed. Lastly, the potential application of rice bran proteins in a wide range of food industries and the commercialized rice bran protein-related products are included.