Rice Milling Quality Management

Rice is one of the leading food crops in the world, nutritious, versatile, and gluten-free. The functional properties of rice are affected by the milling process. Using a mix of lecture and lab work, this course will provide information and hands-on experience about the processing steps of milling and determination of milling degree. The structure and composition of a rice kernel and the physicochemical properties of kernel constituents will also be discussed.

Content

Rice as a Food Grain

• Definition of a cereal grain; how rice compares to other cereals and oil seeds
• Types of rice/distribution in the world
• Production practices for rice
• Harvest and post-harvest overview
• Utilization of rice

Rice Milling

• Importance of kernel integrity in milling; uniqueness of rice among cereals
• Kernel moisture content & dimensional variability
• Overview of the intent and objectives of rice milling
• Processing steps during milling
• Definitions of milling yield quantities

Lab demonstrations/stations

• Individual kernel moisture content meter
• Individual kernel dimensional instruments
• Lab mill and associated milling system equipment

Structure and composition of a rice kernel

• Kernel development on a rice plant
• Individual kernel development
• Gross structure and composition of a rice kernel
• Physicochemical characteristics of kernel constituents

Lab demonstrations/stations

• Color meter & Lipid extractor
• NIR spectrophotometer
• Rapid Visco-Analyser

Factors Impacting Milling Yield Levels

• High nighttime air temperatures during kernel formation; chalkiness
• Fissures created by moisture adsorption fissuring in the field or during storage
• Fissures created by the drying process

Training Methodology

The training methodology combines lectures, discussions, group exercises and illustrations. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge of the topics. The emphasis is on the practical application of the topics and as a result participant will go back to the workplace with both the ability and the confidence to apply the techniques learned to their duties.