Abstract Seven Pakistani brown rice cultivars (KS-282, SB, C-9, SUPRI, PK-386, IRRI-9 and IRRI-6) were investigated as an alternative raw material to develop directly expanded extrudates. Results indicated that bulk density remained constant in all rice cultivars, whereas SUPRI presented a higher length-breadth (LB) ratio and lower thousand kernel weight and starch content than other cultivars. Amylose content was higher in KS-282, C-9 and IRRI-9 and lowest in SB. SUPRI rice extrudates produced optimum expansion and crispiness with reduced hardness, piece and bulk density. Scanning electron micrographs showed more cell pockets and evenness in porosity per unit area in SUPRI brown rice extrudates, indicating more porous and crispier extrudates. It is also evidenced from the micrographs that cavities were evenly distributed and less ruptured in SUPRI brown rice. Consequently, SUPRI extrudates exhibited better microstructure, crispiness (No. of peaks 9), and porosity (0.838 ± 0.009) along with minimum piece density (0.038 ± 0.001 g/cm3) and hardness (17.85 ± 1.05 N). Conclusively, low amylose rice cultivar (SUPRI) perform better as substitute raw material for extrudates development.

Abstract Health safety of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) for food application was evaluated through hematology and histopathology of liver, spleen and kidney in Sprague Dawley rats fed on three isoproteic diets maintained to 10% protein for forty five days. Three groups of rats were maintained as control diet casein (R-C); diet containing crude spirulina (R-S) and diet containing purified spirulina protein (R-SPI). Hematological profile of the rats group fed on spirulina diets showed no significant increase in white blood cells (WBCs), while there was decreasing trend in the levels of neutrophils (60.46 ± 2.60%) and lymphocytes (33.53 ± 1.06%) in rats that were fed on spirulina diet (R-S) than the other tested experimental diet group. Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture of the liver with no abnormality in kidneys and spleen exhibiting safety of spirulina in both forms to mitigate protein energy malnutrition widely prevalent in developing countries.