How to tell if brown rice is bad? (+3 Ways)
By
Dr Miguel Fernandez-Nino PhD
| Reviewed by
Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.
Author bio
Dr Miguel Fernández-Niño is a food scientist with expertise in food biochemistry, Food microbiology, synthetic biology, food waste valorisation, and industrial biotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr. Fernández-Niño’s Highlights:
- Colombian scientist, with a Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from the Jacobs University Bremen (Germany).
- Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry in Halle (Germany).
- Expertise in using multi-omics approaches (e.g., metabolomics, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics) to re-engineer products and processes of relevance for the food industry.
- Expertise in designing microorganisms (microbial biofactories and starter cultures) to produce value-added products and food waste valorisation.
“My professional goal is to contribute to the education and research in Food Engineering and Food Biotechnology. The major incentive of my career is to contribute to the diffusion of scientific knowledge in society, thus promoting rational thinking and evidence-based decision-making”- Dr. Fernández-Niño’s, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Fernández-Niño works as an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow, at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, in Halle (Germany). He leads a project that aims to improve fine-flavour cocoa bean fermentation for local farmers in Colombia through controlled fermentation systems.
Previously, Dr Fernández-Niño worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow on the bio-catalytic synthesis of isoferulic acid (BMBF project) in the same institution.
Dr Fernández-Niño also worked as a Postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemical and Food Engineering at Los Andes University in Colombia, working on the development of a platform to produce novel aroma precursor compounds and high value-added products from analysis of cocoa fermentation.
In addition, Dr. Fernández-Niño worked on the assembly of a platform for heterologous polyphenols production in E. coli from analysis of cacao fermentation pathways, in the same institution.
Dr. Fernández-Niño has been an occasional scientific adviser of Casa Luker S.A. (leader in the Colombian chocolate market), working on projects related to the post-harvesting of fine-flavour cocoa. He also worked as instructor and coordinator of the lab course General Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II Lab (Course No. CH02-520121) at Jacobs University Bremen (Germany) and as a Resident Associate in the same institution.
Finally, Dr Miguel Fernández-Niño has experience as Part-Time Assistant Professor, Occasional Professor, and Master Teaching Assistant.
Education:
- 2009 B.Sc. Biologist at Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 2012 Master in Science – Biochemistry (Thesis “magna cum laude”) at Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 2017 PhD in Biochemical Engineering at Jacobs University Bremen-Germany
The main publications of Dr Miguel Fernández-Niño are:
Fabio Herrera-Rocha, Miguel Fernández-Niño*, Mónica P. Cala, Jorge Duitama, Andrés Fernando González Barrios (2023) Omics approaches to understand cocoa processing and chocolate flavor development: A review. Food Research International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112555
Fernández-Niño Miguel* and Burgos-Toro Daniela (2022) Engineering microbial biofactories for a sustainable future. Chapter edited by Catalina Correa & Adriana Suarez-Gonzalez in the book: Genomics and the Global Bioeconomy -1st Edition-. ISBN 9780323916011. Publisher: ELSEVIER: https://www.elsevier.com/books/genomics-and-the-global-bioeconomy/patrinos/978-0-323-91601-1
Fabio Herrera-Rocha, Mónica P. Cala, Ana Maria León-Inga, Jenny Lorena Aguirre Mejía, Claudia M. Rodríguez-López, Sergio Leonardo Florez, María José Chica, Héctor Hugo Olarte, Jorge Duitama, Andrés Fernando González Barrios, Miguel Fernández-Niño* (2022) Lipidomic profiling of bioactive lipids during spontaneous fermentations of fine-flavor cocoa. Food Chemistry. Volume 397. 133845, ISSN 0308-8146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133845.
Díaz-Bustamante ML, Fernández-Niño M, Reyes LH and Alvarez Solano OA (2022) Multiscale Approach to Dairy Products Design. Front. Chem. Eng. 4:830314. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2022.830314.
Ramón E. Jaimez*, Luigy Barragan, Miguel Fernández-Niño*, Ludger A. Wessjohann, George Cedeño-Garcia, Ignacio Sotomayor, Francisco Arteaga, (2022): Theobroma cacao L. cultivar CCN 51: A comprehensive review on origin, genetics, sensory properties, production dynamics, and physiological aspects. PeerJ 10:e12676 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12676.
Fabio Herrera‑Rocha, Mónica P. Cala, Jenny Lorena Aguirre Mejía, Claudia M. Rodríguez‑López, María José Chica, Héctor Hugo Olarte, Miguel Fernández‑Niño* & Andrés Fernando Gonzalez Barrios*. (2021): Dissecting fine‑flavor cocoa bean fermentation through metabolomics analysis to break down the current metabolic paradigm. Scientific Reports 11(21904) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01427-8.
Fernández-Niño, M., Rodríguez-Cubillos, MJ., Herrera-Rocha, F., Anzola, JM., Cepeda-Hernández, ML., Aguirre, L., Chica, MJ., Olarte, HH., Rodríguez, CM., Calderón, D., Ramírez-Rojas, A., Del Portillo, P., Restrepo, S., González Barrios, A.* (2021): Dissecting on-farm industrial fermentations of fine-flavour cocoa through metagenomic analysis. Scientific Reports 11(8638) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88048-3.
Buitrago Mora, HM., Arango Piñeros, M., Espinosa Moreno, D., Restrepo, S., Cardona Jaramillo, JEC., Álvarez Solano, OA., Fernandez-Niño, M., González Barrios, A.* (2019): Multiscale design of a dairy beverage model composed of Candida utilis single cell protein supplemented with oleic acid. Journal of Dairy Science. 102(11) 9749-9762 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-16729.
Fernández-Niño, M., Giraldo, D., Gomez-Porras, JL., Dreyer, I., González Barrios, A., Arevalo-Ferro, C.* (2017): A synthetic multi-cellular network of coupled self-sustained oscillators. PLOS ONE 12(6): e0180155 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180155.
Fernández-Niño, M., Marquina, M. Swinnen, S.,Rodríguez-Porrata, B., Nevoigt, E.*, Ariño, J. (2015):The Cytosolic pH of Individual Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cells Is a Key Factor in Acetic Acid Tolerance. Appl Environ Microbiol 81(22): 7813-7821 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02313-15.
Swinnen, S., Fernández-Niño, M., González-Ramos, D., van Maris, AJ., Nevoigt, E.* (2014): The fraction of cells that resume growth after acetic acid addition is a strain-dependent parameter of acetic acid tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Yeast Res 14(4): 642-653 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1567-1364.12151.
Conference appearances and other speaking engagements
Selected courses delivered:
Course: Current technologies in the production of chocolates. (20 hours course). Invited as professor by the Department of Chemical and Food Engineering / Faculty of Engineering at Los Andes University-Colombia. July (2021).
Course: Design and assembly of microorganisms for the biomedical industry (20 horas course). Invited as professor by the School of Engineering and Science- Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey (México). January 15-17 (2019)
Selected oral presentations and conferences:
Conference: Dissecting fine-flavour cocoa bean fermentation through multi-omics approaches. Speaker invited by the Organic Chemistry Department at The University of Buenos Aires -Argentina. Sep. 07 (2022).
Conference: Theobroma cacao L. cultivar CCN 51. Association of Producers of Fine Cocoa and Aroma (APROCAFA), Ecuador. March 15 (2022).
Conference: Biology of probiotics and prebiotics. Speaker invited by the Chemical and Food Engineer Department at Los Andes University-Colombia. June 27 (2020).
Conference: Pandemic food revolution. Speaker invited by the Chemical and Food Engineer Department at Los Andes University-Colombia. May 5 (2020).
Conference: Biochemistry and microbiology of cocoa fermentation. Speaker invited to the elective course: cocoa and Chocolate, organized by Casa Luker and the Department of Chemical Engineering at Los Andes University-Colombia. February 5 and 7 (2019)
Oral presentation: Lipidomic profiling of bioactive lipids during spontaneous fermentation of fine-flavour cocoa. Metabolomics 2022. Valencia, Spain. June 19-23 (2022).
Oral presentation: Exploration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae intra-species diversity for the identification of novel genetic determinants for acetic acid tolerance with the help of pooled-segregant RNA sequencing. ISSY33 International Specialized Symposium on Yeasts at University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, June 24-29. (2017)
You can view some of Dr Miguel’s work below and links to his professional profile.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miguel-Fernandez-Nino
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-fern%C3%A1ndez-ni%C3%B1o-4a064b168/?locale=en_US
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JBb1zuoAAAAJ&hl=en
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8231-7989
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56123747300
https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1296449/overview
https://www.intechopen.com/profiles/158295
Reviewer bio
Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights:
- Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
- PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
- Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate,
Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow.
Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed.
Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.
Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity.
In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.
Education:
- 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
- 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
- 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:
Articles
Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.
Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.
Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..
Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.
Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.
Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..
Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.
Book Chapter
Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.
Conference Papers
Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.
Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.
You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ
Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129
In this article, we will answer the question “How to tell if brown rice is bad?”, the health consequences of eating spoiled brown rice and how to safely store brown rice?
How to tell if brown rice is bad?
You can tell if brown rice has gone bad if you notice odd discoloration on the rice along with a foul or rancid smell. The moist texture of the rice is also an indicator as well as the presence of any insects or bugs.
Here you can find three sings that could help you to determine if your brown rice is bad:
- Textural changes: Cooked rice will become very dry, hard and brittle if they are kept in the storage for too long. Such rice should be discarded. Cooked rice develops a slimy texture as they go bad.
- Microbial growth or bugs: If you notice any signs of discolorations and mold growth on cooked or uncooked rice, throw them in the bin.
You should be very careful with molds growing on your brown rice, as they can produce harmful mycotoxins that can be very dangerous for your health (1-2).
You should also be careful with the bacteria Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis that are common contaminants of rice (3-4).
You should not eat brown rice contaminated with these microorganisms as they can lead to intoxication or severe intestinal problems (5).
Moreover, be aware that pantry bugs are also very common in uncooked rice if they have been mishandled during storage. You should also check for them!
- Rancid smell: If the rice develops an off smell or rancid flavor, they should be immediately discarded as this is a clear indication of spoilage.
Can you get sick from eating spoiled brown rice?
Yes, eating spoiled brown rice can expose you to different health hazards due to the presence of harmful pathogens and their toxins (1-4).
For example, your rice can be contaminated by:
- Bacterial contamination: If brown rice is stored improperly or for an extended period, it can become contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis (3-4).
These bacteria produce toxins that can cause food poisoning . Symptoms of this infection will include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and dehydration (5).
- Mold contamination: When brown rice is exposed to moisture and inadequate storage conditions, molds can develop. Certain molds produce mycotoxins, which are toxic substances that can cause health problems when consumed (1-2).
A common example is Aspergillus spp, which can produce different mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (1-2). Ingesting aflatoxin-contaminated rice may lead to liver damage, jaundice, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, liver cancer (6).
Be aware that these symptoms can vary depending on an individual’s susceptibility, the specific type and level of contamination, and the overall health of the person.
What should you do if you suspect you have eaten spoiled brown rice?
If you have eaten spoiled brown rice and suspect it may have caused adverse effects, there are several steps that you can follow to keep safe and avoid a severe intoxication:
- First, immediately stop consuming the rice to avoid further exposure to harmful substances.
- Assess any symptoms you experience, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or allergic reactions. If symptoms are severe or persistent, seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.
- Provide them with details about the situation, including the appearance and smell of the rice, and how it was stored.
- You should also stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids if you have diarrhea or vomiting.
- Finally, remember that it is always very important to monitor your condition closely, and if symptoms worsen or persist, seek medical attention promptly.
Remember that you should always handle and store your rice in a proper way to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.
How to properly store brown rice to prevent spoilage?
As long as the original paper bag or plastic packaging of brown rice is intact, it can be stored anywhere in the pantry or in the kitchen cabinet. The rule of thumb is to store it in a cool, dark and dry place.
You can follow the next recommendations if you want to prevent spoilage of your brown rice:
- Regarding uncooked brown rice: After opening the package, you should transfer the brown rice to an air-tigth container or jar for further protection.
- Regarding cooked brown rice: For storing cooked brown rice, keep it in an air-tight container for freezer bad and put it in the fridge. For freezing cooked brown rice, use freezer bags, squeeze out the air, label the bag and put it in the freezer.
- Refrigerating and freezing will extend the shelf-life of the brown rice. For freezing uncooked brown rice, use freezer bags and squeeze out all the air from the bag before storing. For refrigerating, air-tight containers and freezer bags both work fine.
What is the shelf-life of brown rice?
The following table shows an estimated shelf-life of brown rice under different storage conditions.
| In the pantry | In the fridge | In the freezer | |
| Uncooked brown rice | 3 months past the Best-by date | 6 months pst the best-by date | 12 months past the Best-by date |
| Cooked brown rice | 4-6 days | 4-6 months |
Conclusion:
In this article, we answered the question “How to tell if brown rice is bad?’, the health consequences of eating spoiled brown rice and how to safely store brown rice?
References:
1. Ferre FS. Worldwide occurrence of mycotoxins in rice. Food Control [Internet]. 2016 Apr 1 [cited 2023 May 27];62:291–8. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713515302735
2. Tanaka K, Sago Y, Zheng Y, Nakagawa H, Kushiro M. Mycotoxins in rice. Int J Food Microbiol [Internet]. 2007 Oct 20 [cited 2023 May 27];119(1–2):59–66. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168160507004333
3. Rodrigo D, Rosell CM, Martinez A. Risk of Bacillus cereus in Relation to Rice and Derivatives. Foods 2021, Vol 10, Page 302 [Internet]. 2021 Feb 2 [cited 2023 May 27];10(2):302. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/2/302
4. Ankolekar C, Rahmati T, Labbé RG. Detection of toxigenic Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis spores in U.S. rice. Int J Food Microbiol [Internet]. 2009 Jan 15 [cited 2023 May 27];128(3):460–6. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168160508005473
5. Milaciu M V, Ciumărnean L, Orășan OH, Para I, Alexescu T, Negrean V. Semiology of food poisoning. Int J Bioflux Soc [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2023 May 10];8(2):108–13. Available from: http://hvm.bioflux.com.ro/docs/2015.108-113.pdf
6. Pleadin J, Frece J, Markov K. Mycotoxins in food and feed. In: Advances in Food and Nutrition Research [Internet]. Academic Press Inc.; 2019 [cited 2020 Apr 27]. p. 297–345. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31351529/
