The passion and love for our work has been driving us to undertake new research goals, focussing on the nutritional properties of rice and its biometric shapes, on the antioxidant properties in relation to the pericarp. This work has been constantly evolving with the aim to produce a variety of rice containing “pearls of health” to satisfy both the body and the taste of the consumer. These new varieties feature an improved palatability and a shorter cooking time in comparison with the traditional varieties of whole rice.

The Lugano Functional Rice special line has been conceived to meet these goals.

This new product line includes the varieties Lugano Giant Embryo. They are the result of a traditional program of breeding (Non-GMO). These varieties feature a bigger embryo with respect to that of the traditional rice. The giant embryo trait is a monogenic one – environment arising – and it regulates the dimensional balance between endosperm and embryo.

The bigger embryo dimension is directly proportional to a higher content of nutritional elements. Analysis, carried out by law, confirms that our giant embryo variety is rich of Phosphorus, Magnesium and Vitamin B6, and it reaches the 30% of the reference values in relation to the nutrient values according to Annex XIII, Part A, EU Regulation1169/2011 and EU Regulation 1924/2006. These varieties contain Potassium and Vitamin E reaching the 15 % of the reference values in relation to the nutrient values according to Annex XIII, Part A, EU Regulation1169/2011 and EU Regulation 1924/2006.

Moreover they are rich in fibre, exceeding 6 gr per 100gr of product according to regulations, showing a reference value of 8.3 g on 100 g of product.

According to several and qualified nutrition analysis, giant embryo varieties provide more nutrition values in comparison with traditional rice. These nutritional qualities emerge in particular with regard to the exogenous antioxidant properties contained in the Vitamins E and B6, this being an important factor to protect the nervous and immune systems.

In the field of nutricosmetics our company selected a black pericarp giant embryo combining the nutritional qualities of the giant embryo and those of the black pericarp. Our aim pointed to obtain a variety of rice with a higher ORAC standard (that is the biological antioxidant capacity in vitro) and to offer a product featuring the highest antioxidant capacity.

Through the selection of rice with bigger embryo dimension and high intensity pigment, the same research has been directed to the production of varieties of rice with giant embryo and red pericarp.