Rice, lipid characterization

Additionally, the allelopathic potential of rice plants can be stimulated in the presence of other plants by increasing the production of allelochemicals that may help them repress the growth of competitors. The synthesis of some rice allelochemicals, such as flavone and cyclohexenone, can be stimulated in the presence of bamyardgrass nearby [117]. This has not been demonstrated for alkyl resorcinols however, our interest in other lipid resorcinol-derived allelochemicals, such as those produced in sorghum [85], has led our research group to identify, clone and characterize the substrate specificity of the key enzymes involved in the synthesis of the rice lipid resorcinols (unpublished data). 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is characterized by the involvement of the heart and allied vascular system. High cholesterol, associated lipid abnormahties and high blood pressure are recognized as the major risk factors of CVD. There have been several animal experiments and clinical studies using rice bran and rice bran oil, which have demonstrated a hypocholesterolemic effect (Raghuram et al., 1989 Rukmini and Raghuram, 1991 Sugano and Tsuji, 1997). The mechanisms involved are briefly summarized. 

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