Japan looking for Rice Bran Oil from India; JVs on the card

Indian Rice Bran Oil, known as "Health Oil" in India and "Heart Oil" in Japan may soon land on the coast of Japan, the Land of Rising Sun, if every things go well.Japanese rice bran oil (they call it Rice Oil or Heart Oil) manufacturers have shown keen interest in the import of Rice Bran Oil from India. Some of the Japanese manufacturers are also looking for joint venture with Indian producers of Rice Bran Oil for manufacturing value added products.

This was the outcome of the meeting between a Seven-Member official Japanese delegation from Wakayama Prefectural Government and The Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEA). The Indian team at the meeting consisted of Dr. B.V. Mehta, Executive Director of SEA and some of the leading rice bran oil manufacturers/ marketers. While the Japanese delegation included Mr Daisuke Tsutsumi, Director for Overseas Promotion, Wakayama Perfectural Government and Mr. Toshimichi Tsuno leading Rice Bran oil and value added products manufacturer in Japan.

Rice bran oil is the unique edible oil with many nutritional benefits, as compared to other edible oils. It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and a higher cholesterol reducing power than other PUFA rich oils due to presence of oryzanol. Rice Bran oil has the highest amount of oryzanol which has cholesterol lowering properties, unique micro nutrients and natural antioxidants as compared to other cooking oils. It reduces cholesterol absorption, reduces blood platelet aggregation and increases cholesterol excretion thus reducing total cholesterol effectively.

RBO contains natural vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and helps improve neurological functioning. Due to its high antioxidant content, it fights the free radicals that harm the immune system. It also contains squalene, which is good for the skin. Squalene softens the skin as it is a natural moisturizer. This effectively helps delay wrinkle formation

Rice Bran Oil is the ideal cooking oil since it has good stability (it does not decompose at high temperatures to form toxic compounds). It retains antioxidant stability even at high temperatures. It has a high smoking point (213°C). Studies have shown that snacks prepared in rice bran oil absorb 12-25 per cent less oil than those prepared in groundnut oil. It has a balance fatty acids profile close to the AHA, NIN, ICMR’s recommendations. They recommend an almost equal ratio of SFA (27-33%): MUFA (33-40%): PUFA (27-33%) in healthy oil. Rice Bran oil has SFA (24%): MUFA (42%): PUFA (34%).

It has not only cholesterol lowering properties but also has anti -viral, anti ageing, anti itching and anti dandruff properties.