Optimization of Soaking Duration and Temperature for Two Nigerian Rice Cultivars

ABSTRACTOptimization of soaking duration and temperature for two Nigerian rice cultivars were evaluated. Temperatures of 50°C, 70°C and 90°C were used for both long and short grain rice paddy. Each treatment had three replicates of 12, 18 and 24 h of soaking durations. The physical analysis of the long/short rice paddies were 1000 kernel volume 24.3/22.3 cm3, 1000 kernel weight 24.2/24.3 g, density 1.3/1.1 gcm3, length, 9.9/8.2 mm, width, 2.95/3.3 mm, water absorption rate of 34/11% and moisture content of 14/11% respectively. Sensory evaluation of the long/short grain rice yield based on colour and general acceptability showed that significant differences existed among the samples with colour 8.05/7.85, general acceptability 8.10/7.80 respectively. The long/short grain percentage breakages were 2.7/1.2% and total yield 70/67%, respectively. At 70°C long grain rice yield increased as soaking duration increased, and at 90°C, short grain rice yield increased as soaking duration increased. The best quality was achieved by soaking the long grain at 70°C for 24 h and short grain at 90°C for 24 h.