See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299759968 Wild Rice (Zizania sp.): A Potential Source of Valuable Ingredients for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods - A Review Article in Rivista Italiana Delle Sostanze Grasse · April 2016 CITATIONS READS 0 164 4 authors, including: Farooq Anwar Gokhan Zengin University of Sargodha Selcuk University 237 PUBLICATIONS 9,534 CITATIONS 290 PUBLICATIONS 1,607 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Aided Extraction of Biologically Active Compounds from Plant Origin View project Bioremediation of contaminated soil View project All content following this page was uploaded by Gokhan Zengin on 08 June 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Review Wild rice (Zizania sp.): a potential source of valuable ingredients for nutraceuticals and functional foods Wild rice (Zizania sp.) is an annual cross-pollinated, emergent, aquatic grass that mainly F. Anwar1,2* grows naturally in the Great Lakes region of North America. The nutritional quality G. Zengin3 attributes of wild rice are superior to the conventional brown rice (Oryza sativa L.) in terms K.M. Alkharfy4,5 of higher contents of important minerals (especially phosphorous, potassium, magnesium M. Marcu6 and calcium), B-complex vitamins, vitamin E and amino acids. In addition, wild rice is reported to contain an appreciable amount of valuable compounds such as phenolics 1Department of Chemistry with antioxidant properties. The presence of such nutritionally bioactive substances University of Sargodha contributes towards medicinal benefits and multiple biological activities of this specialty Sargodha - Pakistan rice. The present review is mainly designed to focus on the detailed nutritional attributes, high-value bioactive components profile and medicinal/biological activities of wild rice, 2Department of Pharmaceutical thus proposing to explore the functional food and nutraceutical potential of this food Chemistry commodity. College of Pharmacy Keywords: Wild rice lipids, α-Linolenic acid, Phytosterols, Tocols, Phenolics. Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University Al-Kharj - Saudi Arabia 3Department of Biology Science Faculty, Selcuk University INTRODUCTION 81 Konya - Turkey In view of the rapidly growing human population, there is greater demand than ever to enhance production of major food crops such as rice and wheat, in 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy order to overcome the issue of food security. The International Rice Research College of Pharmacy Institute predicted recently that 800 million tons of rice would be required by King Saud University 2025 to meet the world’s domestic needs [1]. In fact, the conventional rice Riyadh - Saudi Arabia (Oryza sativa L.) is the staple food for two-thirds of the world’s population [2]. Besides the conventional huge scale rice consumption, there is now a revival 5College of Pharmacy of interest in the use of wild rice (Zizania sp.) as a specialty food in some parts Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University of the world. Indeed, the utilization of wild rice is gaining popularity among Al-Kharj -Saudi Arabia consumers, and it is now commonly available in the supermarkets, restau- rants and gourmet cuisine in North America. Moreover, wild rice is also used 6Plant, Beauty, Medicine as an ingredient in a variety of foods such as soups, meat dishes, stuffing, Seattle - USA breakfast cereals, pancakes, muffins and cookies, among others [3 - 6]. Wild rice, also known as Canadian rice, Indian rice, and water oats, belongs to the genus Zizania, and it is grown as an aquatic cereal grain. Four species of wild rice have been characterized: Zizania palustris L., Zizania aquatica L., Zizania texana H., and Zizania latifolia G. The first three species are native to (*) CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: North America while the fourth to Asia. The species Zizania palustris L. and Department of Chemistry Zizania aquatica L. are annuals whereas the others are perennials [3-5]. Wild University of Sargodha rice species such as Zizania palustris L. and Zizania aquatica L. predominan- Sargodha - Pakistan tly grow naturally in lakes, rivers, and streams in the Great Lakes region of E-mail: [email protected] North America (Mid-West region of United States and the Northern part of the Canadian prairies) [3, 7, 8]. Wild rice has been traditionally the most important food consumed by Native LA RIVISTA ITALIANA DELLE SOSTANZE GRASSE - VOL. XCIV - APRILE/GIUGNO 2017 Table I - Geographical distribution of different wild rice species Americans in the Great Lakes region of North Ameri- ca. Due to its high nutritional value and taste, wild rice Species Region References gained increasing popularity during the late 20th cen- Z. palustris North America, [6], [11] tury. As a result, the commercial cultivation started to Southern Canada fulfill the increased demand in the United States and Z. aquatic North America, [6], [11], [42], Canada. In the U.S., the major wild rice producing Southern Canada [55] areas include California and Minnesota, where it is Z. texana North America (Texas) [6], [48] mainly cultivated in paddy fields. In Canada, wild rice Z. latifolia Southern Asia [6], [56], [57] is usually harvested from natural bodies of water; the (China, Japan, Manchuria, largest producer is Saskatchewan. Interestingly, wild New Zealand) rice is also produced in China, Hungary and Australia. The grain of cultivated wild rice is somewhat similar to the grain of conventional (white) rice (Oryza sativa L.), Native Americans have consumed this species as a although it is longer, and the final color, after proces- staple food since prehistoric times. Another species, sing, is between black and brown. The wild rice kernel Z. aquatica is grown along St. Lawrence River, in the has a long and narrow cylindrical shape, with lengths eastern and southern region of the United States. from 7.5 to 18.0 mm and widths from 1.5 to 4.0 mm, The plant is annual, tall and has average seed length and it is used dehulled usually but non-polished [7]. of 14.3 mm. The Z. texana species is perennial, with Like other cereals, wild rice grain contains about 74% small seeds, and grows naturally in St. Marcos River starch and 14% proteins as the main constituents. in Texas. This species is decumbent with many long In addition, it also contains dietary fiber (6.8%), lipids stems, short panicles with an average seed length of (1.7%), and ash (1.8%) [7]. The relatively high level of 6 mm. Another species, namely Z. latifolia is widely ash suggests that wild rice grain may serve as a good grown in Southern Asian regions such as China. The source of minerals such as potassium and phospho- plant is tall and has medium panicles. The average rus [3, 9]. seed length is 7 mm. Table I shows the geographical Studies report that wild rice is high in minerals, vita- distribution of different wild rice species. mins, protein, starch, and dietary fiber but it is low in fat. Wild rice is gluten-free [10] and is safe for human VALUABLE NUTRIENTS AND MINERALS consumption. Most importantly, wild rice is investiga- Wild rice grain is considered a highly nutritious food ted to be a good source of antioxidant phytochemi- due to the presence of a wide array of valuable nu- cals (especially ferulic, p-coumaric and vanilic acids), trients required for bodily normal functions. The wild essential fatty acids (linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid) rice grain is superior in nutritive value to the brown and nutraceuticals such as γ-oryzanol [6, 11]. rice (Oryza sativa) grain. For example, wild rice grain Although wild rice is valued as a potential source of has twice the protein, less fat and more fiber compa- valuable phytochemicals and essential fatty acids, no red with the brown (conventional) rice grain [5, 9, 13, 82 comprehensive review on the detailed nutritional and 14]. Recent dietary guidelines recommend that about phytochemicals profile and biological activities of wild 50% of the grain products consumed should be fiber- rice was reported yet. Thus, the main objective of this rich, whole grain. In this regard, whole, wild rice grain review is to focus comprehensively on the nutritional can be considered as a healthy source of dietary fiber. attributes and profile of highly valuable bioactive com- Increased intake of dietary fiber is linked with the re- pounds/antioxidants as well medicinal aspects of wild duced risk of chronic diseases [13, 14]. rice, proposing to explain further the functional dietary Wild rice from Chinese and North American regions and nutraceutical potential of this food commodity. has also been found to be a very good source of dif- ferent amino acids especially, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine, leucine, alanine and phenyl alanine (Ta- BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION AND ble II). The data in Table II shows that wild rice is an im- DISTRIBUTION pressive source of essential minerals, especially pho- Zizania species are generally large seeded aquatic sphorous, potassium, magnesium and calcium. The grass, also referred to as an anchored emergent, wild rice also contains considerable levels of impor- macrophyte, with a hollow cylindrical stem and long, tant vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin and vitamin narrow, blade-like leaves resembling those of wheat, E as shown in Table II. It can be seen that the Chinese oats, barley and giant cut grass [12]. These species wild rice samples are mostly higher in their contents can grow up to 2 meters high in wet lands. Inflore- of amino acids and vitamins than the North American scence is paniculate, large terminal, and fruits are cultivars [5]. Vitamins and minerals are required for 10-20 mm long. The widely spread species of wild the maintenance of healthy life; in this regard, these rice Z. palustris grows naturally in the Great Lakes components are present at higher concentrations in region of United States and Canada, in shallow lakes wild rice than white rice, supporting the nutraceutical and rivers.