Varietal Differences in Endosperm Structure Related to High-degree Polishing Properties of “Hattan Varieties” of Rice Suitable for Brewing Original Hiroshima Sake

Abstract

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of varietal differences in the endosperm structure on the high-degree polishing properties of Hattan varieties of rice suitable for brewing original Hiroshima sake. Four varieties were used: Hattan No.35, Hattan-nishiki No.1, Hattan-nishiki No.2, and Yamada-nishiki. Ellipsoidal-white-core grains occurred at a higher rate in Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2, whereas lined-white-core grains were observed at a higher rate in Hattan No.35 and Yamada-nishiki. Hattan No.35 and Yamada-nishiki showed low void polishing rates, and Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2 high void polishing rates after 50% polishing. Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2 showed inferior properties; that is, many broken and cracked grains, particularly cracked grains, after 50% polishing. The contents of broken grains and cracked grains in Hattan No.35 were higher than those in Yamada-nishiki and lower than those in Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2. In Hattan No.35 and Yamada-nishiki, fewer airspaces were observed between the amyloplasts at the center of the white-core as compared with Hattan-nishiki No.1 and No.2. This study showed that the differences in the endosperm structure of white-cores in the brewers’ rice grain are related to varietal differences in the tolerance to high-degree polishing.

Keywords

• Brewers’ rice
• Endosperm structure
• Hattan varieties
• High-degree polishing properties