[Gamma-oryzanol: an important component in rice brain oil].

Gamma-oryzanol, a mixture of ferulic acid esters of sterol and triterpene alcohols, it occurs in rice bran oil at a level of 1 to 2%, where it serves as natural antioxidant. Recent research has shown that gamma-Oryzanol can lower the cholesterol levels in the blood, lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, besides that, also has been used in Japan like natural antioxidant in foods, beverages and cosmetics. This review refers to aspects about gamma-Oryzanol, like its physiochemical properties, its presence in the rice bran oil, its antioxidant and hypocholesterolemic activity, as well as, identification, quantitation and extraction methods.