Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Two chemical compounds, Momilactone A andMomilactone B (MA and MB), that can prevent diabetes, obesity and gout throughtheir ability to inhibit enzymes relating to the diseases, have been found inwhite rice grown in the central province of Quang Tri, scientists haveannounced.
Research by Associate Professor and Dr Tran Dang Xuan, head of the Laboratoryof Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in Japan’s Hiroshima University, found theMA and MB compounds in Ong Bien organic rice grown in Quang Tri province underschemes and technology provided by Dai Nam Ong Bien Group Joint Stock Companybased in the south-central province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
The content of the two compounds in Ong Bien organic rice is 100 times higherthan those found in other varieties of rice.
Their study revealed that the compounds played an active role in the diabetesinhibitory potential of rice bran.
MA and MB compounds are very rare and have not been fully studied forbiological and pharmacological activities. The compound was sold at 125 USD per0.1 mg on carbosynth.com, a company that sells famous biochemical products.
Xuan said that the MA and MB compounds were about as 30,000 times more preciousthan gold and that “the discovery of the two compounds in white rice created abreakthrough in the world’s plant physiology, especially rice.”
Some studies have previously found rice to have compounds that inhibitdiabetes, but only in brown or red rice, which are often of poor quality anddifficult to consume.
“Today, people tend to have less rice in their diet because rice containsstarch which causes obesity and diabetes. However, with high content of MA andMB, Ong Bien organic rice can help prevent the disease,” Xuan said.
Several recent reports indicate that there are more than 3 million people in Vietnamsuffering from or at risk of diabetes, so the results of this study are particularlysignificant.
Vietnam’s Health Ministry and relevant agencies have not yet commented orverified the claims – including the rice's nutrition values, its content of MAand MB and its anti-diabetics ability.
Tran Ngoc Nam, Director General of Dai Nam Trade and Production Ltd Companysaid that since 2016, the company cooperated with Quang Tri province’sAgriculture and Rural Development Department to grow the variety.
Under their cooperation programme, rice was watered and fertilised with onlyorganic fertilisers made by the company. No other plant protection product orchemical fertiliser was used for the rice.
The rice is now grown on a total area of about 200 ha in Quang Tri province,generating stable income of 30-40 million VND per hectare for farmers,according to Nam.
The rice is available in supermarkets across Vietnam branded Ong Bien Organicrice or Quang Tri organic rice. — VNS/VNA
Research by Associate Professor and Dr Tran Dang Xuan, head of the Laboratoryof Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in Japan’s Hiroshima University, found theMA and MB compounds in Ong Bien organic rice grown in Quang Tri province underschemes and technology provided by Dai Nam Ong Bien Group Joint Stock Companybased in the south-central province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
The content of the two compounds in Ong Bien organic rice is 100 times higherthan those found in other varieties of rice.
Their study revealed that the compounds played an active role in the diabetesinhibitory potential of rice bran.
MA and MB compounds are very rare and have not been fully studied forbiological and pharmacological activities. The compound was sold at 125 USD per0.1 mg on carbosynth.com, a company that sells famous biochemical products.
Xuan said that the MA and MB compounds were about as 30,000 times more preciousthan gold and that “the discovery of the two compounds in white rice created abreakthrough in the world’s plant physiology, especially rice.”
Some studies have previously found rice to have compounds that inhibitdiabetes, but only in brown or red rice, which are often of poor quality anddifficult to consume.
“Today, people tend to have less rice in their diet because rice containsstarch which causes obesity and diabetes. However, with high content of MA andMB, Ong Bien organic rice can help prevent the disease,” Xuan said.
Several recent reports indicate that there are more than 3 million people in Vietnamsuffering from or at risk of diabetes, so the results of this study are particularlysignificant.
Vietnam’s Health Ministry and relevant agencies have not yet commented orverified the claims – including the rice's nutrition values, its content of MAand MB and its anti-diabetics ability.
Tran Ngoc Nam, Director General of Dai Nam Trade and Production Ltd Companysaid that since 2016, the company cooperated with Quang Tri province’sAgriculture and Rural Development Department to grow the variety.
Under their cooperation programme, rice was watered and fertilised with onlyorganic fertilisers made by the company. No other plant protection product orchemical fertiliser was used for the rice.
The rice is now grown on a total area of about 200 ha in Quang Tri province,generating stable income of 30-40 million VND per hectare for farmers,according to Nam.
The rice is available in supermarkets across Vietnam branded Ong Bien Organicrice or Quang Tri organic rice. — VNS/VNA
VNA
