In the ongoing battle against childhood malnutrition, a novel ingredient is emerging as a potential game-changer: stabilised rice bran. A recent study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science has shown that incorporating this nutrient-dense, prebiotic food ingredient into ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) can significantly improve growth outcomes in children suffering from severe and moderate acute malnutrition.
The study, led by Silvia Barbazza from the Department of Health Sciences at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, was conducted in Jember, Indonesia, and involved 200 children aged 6–59 months. The researchers compared the effectiveness of a locally produced RUTF with rice bran to the same RUTF without rice bran. The results were promising, with the rice bran-enriched RUTF showing significantly greater weight gain velocity and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) velocity at week 4, particularly in children aged 24–59 months.
“This study provides a strong indication that stabilised rice bran can be a valuable addition to RUTFs,” Barbazza said. “The improved growth outcomes we observed suggest that this ingredient could play a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of these therapeutic foods.”
The potential implications for the agriculture sector are substantial. Rice bran is a byproduct of rice milling, often underutilised or used as animal feed. By incorporating it into RUTFs, we not only enhance the nutritional value of these foods but also create a new market for rice bran, potentially boosting the agricultural economy.
Moreover, the study’s findings could pave the way for further research into other nutrient-dense, prebiotic ingredients that could be incorporated into RUTFs. As Barbazza noted, “This is just the beginning. There’s a wealth of potential ingredients out there that we haven’t yet explored. This study opens up new avenues for research and innovation in the field of therapeutic foods.”
The study also highlights the importance of considering the microbiome maturity of different age groups when developing nutritional interventions. The researchers found that children in two age groups responded differently to the treatment, underscoring the need for tailored approaches in malnutrition treatment.
In conclusion, this research offers a glimpse into the future of malnutrition treatment, where locally sourced, nutrient-dense ingredients like stabilised rice bran could play a pivotal role. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of childhood malnutrition, such innovations offer hope and a path forward. The agriculture sector, in particular, stands to gain from this shift, with new markets and opportunities on the horizon.