Effects of High-Temperature Drying on Physicochemical Properties of Various Cultivars of Rice

Abstract Three varieties of paddy rice, namely Langi and Amaroo from Australia and Chainart I from Thailand, were dried from high initial moisture content of about 27% down to 13–14% wet basis using a two-stage drying system. A fluidized bed dryer reduced the moisture content down to 18%. Drying experiments were carried out at 100, 125, and 150°C. Further moisture content reduction down to 14% was achieved by shade drying. As a result of these treatments, head rice yield increased proportionally with the drying temperature. In contrast to that, the yellowness, measured by colorimeter in terms of b value, showed an opposite trend. Starch characteristics were studied by Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA), x-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Pasting properties were affected by the drying temperature. The peak viscosity and break down were decreasing with the increase of drying temperature in all varieties while the setback values were increasing in Langi and Amaroo only. All starch samples displayed the typical A type x-ray diffraction pattern. The apparent crystallinity determined by x-ray diffraction was reduced with increasing drying temperature. The gelatinization peak shifted to higher temperature while the endothermic enthalpy of gelatinization decreased with increasing drying temperature.