Cereal Chem 63:315-320   |  VIEW ARTICLE
Ergosterol Versus Dry Matter Loss as Quality Indicator for High-Moisture Rough Rice During Holding.

M. Naewbanij, P. A. Seib, D. S. Chung, L. M. Seitz, and C. W. Deyoe. Copyright 1986 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

Two varieties of long-grain and one variety of medium-grain rough rice were mechanically harvested, sun- dried, and rewetted for holding experiments. Small samples (approximately 0.25 kg) of the three varieties were aerated slowly while held at four temperatures (18.3, 23.9, 29.4 and 35 C) and three moistures (16, 18, and 20%). Dry-matter loss (DML), ergosterol, and damaged kernels were determined with increased holding time. Ergosterol in the rough rice correlated well (r = 0.96) with damaged kernels in the milled rice. Rice grade dropped from U.S. No. 1 (damaged kernels *?* 0.5%) to below U.S. No. 2 (damaged kernels greater than or equal to 1.5%) as the ergosterol level increased more than 1 microgram/g above its initial value. Rough rice DML correlated poorly (r = 0.62-0.63) with percent damaged kernels, and the resulting grade could not be predicted by DML. An empirical equation was developed to express ergosterol in high- moisture rough rice as a function of moisture content, temperature, and time. Ergosterol increase during the predrying holding period appeared to be a better indicator of quality loss in high moisture grain than DML .