Question

Parboiling of rice offers the following advantages:
A. Greater resistance to insects and fungus infection
B. Grain becomes weak
C. Increase in nutritive value of rice
D. Dehusking of parboiled rice is easy
Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B and D only
• B. A, B and C only
• C. A, C and D only
• D. B, C and D only

Hint:

Parboiling is a pre-milling treatment that effectively "steam-infuses" nutrients from the bran into the rice kernel. This makes the rice more nutritious (like brown rice) but with the appearance and texture of white rice, and also makes it tougher and easier to mill.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understand the parboiling process. Parboiling involves soaking paddy (raw rice) in water, steaming it, and then drying it before milling.
Step 2: Evaluate the effects of this process.

A. Greater resistance to insects and fungus infection: The heat treatment during steaming gelatinizes the starch, making the kernel harder and more compact. This makes it more resistant to insect attacks.
B. Grain becomes weak: This is incorrect. The gelatinization process makes the grain tougher and less likely to break during milling.
C. Increase in nutritive value of rice: During soaking and steaming, water-soluble vitamins and minerals (especially B vitamins) from the bran and germ migrate into the starchy endosperm. These nutrients are then retained even after the bran is removed during milling.
D. Dehusking of parboiled rice is easy: The process loosens the husk, making its removal (dehusking) easier and more efficient. \end{itemize} The advantages are A, C, and D.