Rice Bran Supplements the Nutritional Density of Ready‐to‐Use Therapeutic Foods: A Targeted Nutrient and Non‐Targeted Metabolomic Analysis

TL;DR

Adding rice bran to therapeutic foods for malnutrition increases nutrients and bioactive compounds, supporting local food solutions for treatment.

Contribution

Demonstrates rice bran as a nutrient-dense, locally sourced ingredient for enhancing therapeutic foods in malnutrition treatment.

Findings

Rice bran increased dietary fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin B1 in RUTFs.

Non-targeted metabolomics identified 883 biochemicals, with significant changes in lipids, amino acids, and vitamins.

Locally sourced rice bran from Guatemala and Cambodia showed high nutrient content but variable microbial and metal levels.

Abstract

The treatment of uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition includes ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTFs). Novel RUTF recipes aim for inclusion of locally sourced nutrient‐dense food ingredients for sustainability in product availability. This study investigated the incorporation of rice bran into RUTF formulations to enhance the bioactive nutrient profile. Experimental RUTFs were developed containing 0%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% rice bran, without a vitamin/mineral premix for targeted nutrient and non‐targeted metabolite analysis. Additionally, an investigation was conducted analyzing the nutrient density and food safety of small‐scale mill‐sourced rice bran varieties collected from Guatemala and Cambodia for comparison to a US‐commercial rice bran. Targeted nutrient composition analysis of the RUTFs revealed dietary fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin B1 generally increased with higher rice bran content, though it was not dose dependent. The non‐targeted metabolite analysis identified 883 biochemicals across the four experimental RUTFs. Significant metabolite fold changes were identified for a variety of lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and xenobiotics in 5%, 7.5%, and 10% rice bran‐RUTFs compared to the 0%. Analysis of small‐scale mill‐sourced rice brans from Guatemala and Cambodia showed variation in vitamin composition, with vitamin B3 averaging 37.1 mg/100 g and vitamin E ranging from 3.2 to 6.0 mg/100 g. These varieties also demonstrated variable microbial levels and trace metal contents, warranting continuous monitoring and evaluation in global supply chains. These findings support the feasibility of incorporating rice bran into RUTFs for malnutrition treatment and the benefit of screening locally sourced rice bran to address regional nutrient‐dense food product development and specifically for malnutrition treatment.

Incorporating rice bran in ready‐to‐use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) was used for treatment of childhood malnutrition. RUTF nutrient analysis showed increased dietary fiber and vitamins E and B1. Non‐targeted metabolomics revealed significant changes in lipids, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and phytochemicals corresponding to rice bran. Rice bran from small‐scale mills in Guatemala and Cambodia had nutrient‐dense profiles and can be a locally sourced, novel food ingredient. These findings support global rice bran utility for childhood malnutrition treatment and prevention.

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