Vighnaharta Rice Bran Oil : The World's Healthiest Edible Oil

Rice Bran Oil for food use has been commercially produced in the United States by RITO since 1994. Despite its similarities to other common vegetable oils, rice bran oil offers several unique properties that make it very interesting as a specialty oil in niche markets. It has a very appealing nut-like flavor and once extracted is very stable with good fry-life. But perhaps its most notable feature is its high level of components with nutraceutical value such as gamma-oryzanol and tocotrienols.

The structure of the rice kernel is illustrated in Figure. The bran fraction, which includes the germ or embryo in most commercial milling operations, represents only about 8% of paddy weight but contains about three-fourths of the total oil (Juliano and Bechtel, 1985; Lu and Luh, 1991). Containing about 15-20% oil (the same general range of soybeans), rice bran is commercially feasible for oil extraction.


The typical composition of crude rice bran oil is 81.3-84.3% triglycerides, 2-3% diglycerides, 5-6% monoglycerides, 2-3% free fatty acids, 0.3% waxes, 0.8% glycolipids, 1.6% phospholipids, 4% unsaponifiables. In comparison with other vegetable oils, crude rice bran oil tends to contain higher levels of non-triglyceride components, most of which are removed during further refining processes. The free fatty acids, monoglycerides and diglycerides in rice bran oil are associated with enzymatic hydrolysis. The phospholispids predominantly include phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanaolamine, and phosphatidylinositol. The wax content of rice bran oil can be somewhat variable, depending upon cultivar and processing parameters. Various sterols constitute the principal portion of the unsaponifiable fraction of nutraceutical interest. In recent years, many studies have been conducted in the area of utilization of these minor components as co-products of rice bran oil processing.


Oleic and linoleic fatty acids constitute more than 80% of the fatty acids of the glycerides. Rice bran oil is similar to peanut oil in fatty acid composition with a saturation level that is slightly higher than that of conventional soybean oil. The much lower linolenic acid content of rice bran oil makes it more stable to oxidation than soy oil.

The quality characteristics of properly refined rice bran oil include a maximum free fatty acid levels (as oleic acid) of 0.1%, a maximum peroxide value of 1.0 meq/kg, 0.05% moisture, an iodine value of 99–108, saponification value of 180-195, and a Lovibond color value of 3.5R. Appearance of rice bran oil ranges from cloudy to clear depending on the degree of dewaxing and winterization processes applied.

Some of the benefits of Rice Bran Oil are:

  • Now being used by many restaurants in deep fryers to eliminate Trans Fat!!
  • A source of vitamin E complex, antioxidants and other micronutrients to help fight free radicals and combat the effects of aging. Rice bran oil has more of these components than other cooking oils. The components of rice bran oil give it an outstanding shelf life.
  • Rice Bran Oil has the best balance of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as recommended by such organizations as the American Heart Association and the World Health Organization. It's the oil of choice for improving serum cholesterol levels and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
  • The viscosity of our oil is very light and the flavor delicate. Foods cooked with California Rice Oil absorb up to 20% less oil! Less oil absorbed results in reduced calories, better, lighter tasting food and enhanced flavor and palatability. Less oil absorbed also makes it more economical.
  • Rice Bran Oil is hypoallergenic. For those who have an intolerance to other cooking oils this is an excellent alternative.
  • The actual cost of California Rice Oil to the consumer is not significantly different than other high-grade vegetable oils on the market.
  • Rice bran oil is a naturally occurring source of many antioxidants such as Tocopherols, Tocotrienols, Gamma Oryzanol, Phytosterols, Polyphenols and Squalene. 
  • Rice bran oil has a very high smoke (burn) point, making it perfect for deep frying, pan or stir frying and is a premium choice for the replacement of hydrogenated oil containing trans fat now being used in deep fryers.
  • Rice bran oil creates less polymers than other oils meaning better flavor and easier clean-up.

Rice Bran Oil: The most balanced and versatile oil on the market and closest to the AHA recommendations. Rice bran oil is a superior salad, cooking, and frying oil which leaves no lingering after taste. The high smoke point prevents fatty acid breakdown at high temperatures. Its light viscosity, allows less oil to be absorbed in cooking, reducing overall calories. It mixes better in salad dressings and improves the taste of baked goods, providing cholesterol reduction, nutritional and anti-oxidant value.

Olive Oil: High mono fat, able to lower cholesterol but deficient in poly fat, which contains Essential Fatty Acids (EFA). EFA’s are truly essential to life as every metabolic process in your body depends on them. A low smoke point makes it a poor choice for frying, and its heavy taste makes it undesirable in many baked goods. Traditionally a good salad oil.

Canola Oil: High mono fat with cholesterol lowering ability but there are concerns about the origin. “Canola oil” is a term coined by Canada to change the name of “rapeseed oil”. The rapeseed plant contains erucic acid making it toxic and is used as an industrial lubricant. It has been genetically modified and hybrid to produce a low erucic acid version. Commonly hydrogenated, it is extensively used in the food industry because of its low price. The hybrid plant would be the best choice.

Peanut Oil: A good balanced oil. This oil has good cholesterol lowering ability and a high smoke point, making it a good frying oil. It imparts a slightly earthy, nutty flavor. It lacks the anti-oxidants and micronutrients of Rice Bran Oil. A small percentage of people are allergic to nut oils.

Soybean Oil: This oil is a high poly fat. As recommended by the AHA your poly fat intake should be around 33% of your total fat intake. A high poly percentage is, an aid to tumors and cancer and should be carefully watched. Up to 80% of the oil consumed in the U.S.A. today comes from soybeans. Soybean oil is commonly hydrogenated and used in many processed foods.

Grape Seed Oil: A good frying and salad oil, but again high in poly fat. It does lower cholesterol because of the high unsaturated fat content but is way over the recommended 33% poly-unsaturated fat.

Click Here to View or Download the Full Presentation