Channel: Reviews http://www.ricesci.org EN-US http://www.ricesci.org/EN/1672-6308/current.shtml http://www.ricesci.org 1672-6308 http://www.ricesci.org/EN/10.1016/j.rsci.2023.08.005 Excessive waste production has led to the concept of a circular bioeconomy to deliver valuable by-products and improve environmental sustainability. The annual worldwide rice production accounts for more than 750 million tons of grain and 150 million tons of husk. Rice husk (RH) contains valuable biomaterials with extensive applications in various fields. The proportions of each component depend primarily on rice genotype, soil chemistry, and climatic conditions. RH and its derivatives, including ash, biochar, hydrochar, and activated carbon have been placed foreground of applications in agriculture and other industries. While the investigation on RH鈥檚 compositions, microstructures, and by-products has been done copiously, owing to its unique features, it is still an open-ended area with enormous scope for innovation, research, and technology. Here, we reviewed the latest applications of RH and its derivatives, including fuel and other energy resources, construction materials, pharmacy, medicine, and nanobiotechnology to keep this versatile biomaterial in the spotlight.

]]> http://www.ricesci.org/EN/10.1016/j.rsci.2023.11.002 High-quality rice flour is the foundation for the production of various rice-based products. Milling is an essential step in obtaining rice flour, during which significant changes occur in the physicochemical and quality characteristics of the flour. Although rice flour obtained through mainstream wet milling methods exhibits superior quality, low production efficiency and wastewater discharge limit the development of the industry. Dry milling, on the other hand, conserves water resources, but adversely affects flour performance due to excessive heat generation. As an emerging powder-making technique, semi-dry milling offers a promising solution by enhancing flour quality and reducing environmental impact. This is achieved by minimizing soaking time through hot air treatment while reducing mechanical energy consumption to reach saturated water absorption levels. However, continuous production remains a challenge. This comprehensive review summarizes the effects of various milling technologies on rice flour properties and product qualities. It also discusses key control indicators and technical considerations for rice flour processing equipment and processes.

]]> http://www.ricesci.org/EN/10.1016//j.rsci.2023.08.004 Rice has a huge impact on socio-economic growth, and ensuring its sustainability and optimal utilization is vital. This review provides an insight into the role of smart farming in enhancing rice productivity. The applications of smart farming in rice production including yield estimation, smart irrigation systems, monitoring disease and growth, and predicting rice quality and classifications are highlighted. The challenges of smart farming in sustainable rice production to enhance the understanding of researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders are discussed. Numerous efforts have been exerted to combat the issues in rice production in order to promote rice sector development. The effective implementation of smart farming in rice production has been facilitated by various technical advancements, particularly the integration of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. The future prospects of smart farming in transforming existing rice production practices are also elucidated. Through the utilization of smart farming, the rice industry can attain sustainable and resilient production systems that could mitigate environmental impact and safeguard food security. Thus, the rice industry holds a bright future in transforming current rice production practices into a new outlook in rice smart farming development.

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