Process for increasing the rate of hydration of food crop seeds
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorHarmeet S. Guraya
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for significantly increasing the rate of hydration of food crop seeds, such as brown and wild rice, without loss of the nutritious and beneficial portions of the seeds, is disclosed. In this process, the seed of interest is bombarded with an abrasive particulate, which is preferably entrained in a pressurized stream of gas, sufficient to create microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed. These microperforations in the treated seed significantly increase the rate of hydration of the seed and hence decrease cooking time accordingly. Moreover, this process effects improved hydration without removing any significant portions of the outer coat or layers of the seed which lie underneath the outer coat.
Claims30
A process for increasing the rate of hydration of a food crop seed which comprises a water resistant outer coat, said process comprising bombarding said food crop seed with an abrasive particulate for a period of time and under conditions effective for creating microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed, without removing a substantial portion of said outer coat or the seed underlying said coat.
A process for increasing the rate of hydration of rice which comprises a pericarp, said process comprising bombarding dehulled rice with abrasive particulate for a period of time and under conditions effective for creating microperforations in the pericarp of said rice without removing a substantial portion of the pericarp therefrom.
A process for increasing the rate of hydration of a food crop seed which comprises a water resistant outer coat, said process comprising propelling said food crop seed against an abrasive surface for a period of time and under conditions effective for creating microperforations in the water resistant outer coat of said seed, without removing a substantial portion of said outer coat or the seed underlying said coat.
A process for increasing the rate of hydration of rice which comprises a pericarp, said process comprising propelling dehulled rice against an abrasive surface for a period of time and under conditions effective for creating microperforations in the pericarp of said rice without removing a substantial portion of the pericarp therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.