Rice Bran Oil Valorization: A Comprehensive Review of Minor Compounds, Extraction, Advancements, and Prospects

Rice bran (RB) is a byproduct with a high potential for valorization, particularly in the exploitation of its nutritional content. This study underscores promising avenues for valorizing RB, emphasizing a comprehensive approach from grain polishing to oil extraction. By adopting meticulous procedures and environmentally conscious choices, the industry benefits from high-quality rice bran oil (RBO) with preserved nutritional richness and antioxidative potential. This is paramount to preserving the nutritional value of RBO, endowing it with a high antioxidative potential suitable for industrial applications. The maintenance of the nutritional richness of RBO can be achieved through alternative methods that eschew the use of n-hexane, which is becoming increasingly impractical. Given the scarcity of published studies and the limited depth of analyzed data, exploring green solvents represents a sustainable avenue worth delving into. The choice of solvent should be deliberate, considering its effective interaction with the oil and the micronutrients of interest.