Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant Compounds and Antioxidative Properties of Thai Indigenous Rice: Effects of Rice Variety and Processing Condition

Indigenous southern Thai non-glutinous rice varieties Kaab Dum, Khai Mod Rin, Yar Ko, Yoom Noon, and Look Lai made under four different processing conditions, white rice, brown rice, germinated brown rice, and rice grass, were assessed for antioxidant components and in vitro antioxidative activities. According to the findings, rice’s antioxidant components and antioxidant activity were considerably impacted by both variety and processing. High levels of total extractable phenolic compounds (164−314 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg, dry weight (dw)) and carotenoid (0.92−8.65 mg/100 g, dw) were found in all rice varieties, especially in rice grass and germinated brown rice, indicating that milling to generate white rice had an adverse effect on those components. Additionally, after germination, a higher γ-oryzanol concentration (9−14 mg/100 g, dw) was found. All rice varieties had higher ascorbic acid, phenolic compound, and carotenoid contents after sprouting. Overall, Yoom Noon rice grass had the highest total extractable phenolic content (p < 0.05). The rice grass from Yoom Noon/Look Lai/Kaab Dum had the highest ascorbic acid content (p < 0.05). The total carotenoid concentration of Look Lai rice grass was the highest, and Yoom Noon’s germinated brown rice had the highest γ-oryzanol content (p < 0.05). All rice varieties’ aqueous extracts had remarkable ABTS free radical scavenging activity, with Khai Mod Rin reaching the highest maximum value of 42.56 mmol Trolox equivalent/kg dw. Other antioxidant mechanisms, however, were quite low. Compared to germinated brown rice, brown rice, and white rice, rice grass often tended to have stronger antioxidant activity. Yar Ko rice grass was found to have the highest DPPH free radical scavenging activity (3.8 mmol Trolox equivalent/kg dw) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (4.6 mmol Trolox equivalent/kg dw) (p < 0.05). Khai Mod Rice grass had the most pronounced metal chelation activity (1.14 mmol EDTA equivalent/kg dw) (p < 0.05). The rice variety and processing conditions, therefore, influenced the antioxidant compounds and antioxidative properties of Thai indigenous rice. The results can be used as a guide to select the optimal rice variety and primary processing in order to satisfy the needs of farmers who want to produce rice as a functional ingredient and to promote the consumption of indigenous rice by health-conscious consumers.