Brown rice quality improving agent and quality improving method

Abstract

Provided are an agent for improving the quality of brown rice and a method for improving the quality of brown rice, whereby high-quality brown rice can be produced. The brown rice quality improving agent according to the present invention contains zingiberone as an active ingredient. A method for improving the quality of brown rice according to the present invention comprises a step of applying zingiberone to rice during cultivation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a brown rice quality improving agent and a brown rice quality improving method for applying to rice to produce high-quality brown rice. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the quality of brown rice has been deteriorating due to rising temperatures during the rice maturation period (high temperature maturation disturbance), which has become a problem. This temperature rise may be caused by global warming, and it can be said that it is a problem that needs to be solved in the future.

[0003] The turbidity of brown rice is one of the main symptoms of the above-mentioned high temperature ripening disturbance. The turbidity of brown rice not only leads to a lower inspection grade, but also causes the taste to deteriorate, so the industry continues to study various solutions.

[0004] As an example of such research, for example, a method of improving the quality of brown rice by reducing the disturbance caused by high temperature by applying a specific component to rice has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0005] However, it is still unknown whether zerumbone has the effect of improving the quality of brown rice.

[0006] Furthermore, zingiberenone, which is an active ingredient of the quality improving agent of the present invention, is known to be usable as a growth improving agent for plants (see Patent Document 3).

[0007] Specifically, Patent Document 3 describes that zingerone or its analogs or salts thereof have effects such as alleviating environmental stress on plants, promoting plant growth, and improving plant quality, and are therefore suitable for use as growth enhancers for plants.

[0008] However, the concept of "plants" is a very broad concept in contrast to "animals", and its types are extremely large. Moreover, different plant types have different growth environments and the impact of changes in growth environments on the plants, and the specific content of the quality required is also different.

[0009] Specifically, in the verification experiment of Patent Document 3, there is a record of "the growth rate of leaf lettuce is accelerated, various physiological disorders and diseases will not occur, and high-quality leaf lettuce can be obtained", but apart from this record, the main focus is on the effect of promoting growth such as increasing weight or increasing leaf area.

[0010] However, the generation of white immature grains in brown rice is a problem specific to rice related to a specific growth environment during a specific growth period when high temperatures interfere with the ripening period, and cannot be considered a similar problem to the quality of completely different plant species such as leaf lettuce. Furthermore, the generation of white immature grains is obviously different in nature from promoting growth such as increasing weight or increasing leaf area, and it is not easy to confirm or predict the generation of white immature grains before harvesting.

[0011] Thus, according to the description of Patent Document 3, the technical idea of ​​improving the quality of brown rice by applying zingiberenone during the cultivation period of rice cannot be regarded as disclosed.

[0012] [Prior art literature]

[0013] [Patent Document]

[0014] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-129104

[0015] [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-17070

[0016] [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-145159 Summary of the invention

[0017] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0018] The present invention aims to provide a brown rice quality improving agent and a brown rice quality improving method capable of producing high-quality brown rice.

[0019] [Methods to solve the problem]

[0020] The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result have found that high-quality brown rice can be produced by applying zingiberenone to rice during cultivation, thereby completing the present invention.

[0021] That is, the present invention relates to a brown rice quality improving agent and a brown rice quality improving method including the following aspects.

[0022] [1] A brown rice quality improving agent comprising zingiberenone as an active ingredient.

[0023] [2] The brown rice quality improving agent according to [1], which is composed of a squeezed juice, an extract or a ground product of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, or contains at least one of these.

[0024] [3] The brown rice quality improving agent according to [2], which is composed of a squeezed juice or an extract of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, or contains at least one of these.

[0025] [4] The brown rice quality improving agent according to [3], which is a liquid, an emulsion or a suspended emulsion.

[0026] [5] The brown rice quality improving agent according to [2], which is composed of a ground material of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, or contains the ground material.

[0027] [6] The brown rice quality improving agent according to [5], which is in the form of a powder, granules, powder granules, wettable powder, water-dispersible granules, suspension or diffusible granules.

[0028] [7] A method for improving the quality of brown rice, comprising the step of applying zingiberenone to rice during cultivation.

[0029] [8] The method for improving the quality of brown rice according to [7], wherein the application is to apply at least one selected from a squeezed juice, an extract and a ground product of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient to the rice.

[0030] [9] The method for improving brown rice quality as described in [7] or [8], wherein zingiberenone is applied to rice during the seedling stage.

[0031]

[10] The method for improving the quality of brown rice as described in [9], wherein zingiberenone is applied during the period from the early greening stage of the rice to the day of transplanting.

[0032]

[11] The method for improving brown rice quality as described in [7] or [8], wherein zingiberenone is applied to transplanted rice.

[0033]

[12] The method for improving brown rice quality as described in [7] or [8], wherein zingiberenone is applied to seeds before sowing.

[0034]

[13] A method for improving brown rice quality, comprising: preparing a brown rice quality improving agent containing zingiberenone as an active ingredient; and applying the brown rice quality improving agent or a dilution thereof to rice during cultivation.

[0035]

[14] A method for preparing a brown rice quality improving agent, which is a method for preparing a brown rice quality improving agent containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, comprising: a step of preparing a mixture of zingiber officinale and a liquid carrier or a solid carrier; and a step of mixing a formulation auxiliary agent such as a surfactant as needed.

[0036]

[15] A method for preparing a brown rice quality improver, which is a method for preparing a brown rice quality improver containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, comprising: preparing at least one selected from a squeezed juice and an extract of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient; and mixing, as required, a solvent, a surfactant or other formulation auxiliary agent to obtain a liquid, an emulsion or a suspended emulsion.

[0037]

[16] A method for preparing a brown rice quality improver, which is a method for preparing a brown rice quality improver containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, comprising: a step of preparing a crushed material of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient; and a step of mixing a formulation adjuvant such as an extender and a surfactant as required to obtain a powder, granules, powder granules, wettable powder, water-dispersible granules, a suspension or diffusible granules.

[0038] [Effects of the invention]

[0039] According to the present invention, high-quality brown rice can be produced. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The brown rice quality improving agent (hereinafter referred to as "quality improving agent") and the method for improving the quality of brown rice of the present invention are described in detail below. The scope of the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and matters other than those exemplified below may be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0041] In the present invention, regarding the quality of brown rice, the appearance quality can be graded according to the provisions of Article 11 of the Japanese Agricultural Products Inspection Law. In the agricultural product standards, the appearance quality is divided into whole grains, damaged grains, dead rice, discolored grains, and immature grains.

[0042] In this specification, the above-mentioned terms are used as terms having the following meanings with reference to the agricultural product standards.

[0043] Whole grains refer to grains after damaged grains, dead rice, discolored grains, unripe grains, foreign grains and inclusions have been removed.

[0044] Damaged grains refer to damaged grains (sprouted grains, diseased grains, rotten grains, insect-damaged grains, cracked grains, deformed grains, tea grains, broken grains, etc.). However, except for cracked grains in brown rice for brewing, and except for grains that are slightly damaged and do not affect the milling quality and whitening rate, if it is brown rice for feed, it refers to sprouted grains, diseased grains and rotten grains.

[0045] Dead rice refers to immature powdery grains (green dead rice and white dead rice).

[0046] Discolored grains refer to grains with all or part of the grain surface discolored and red rice. However, those that have been removed by pounding or have no significant effect on the rice milling quality and whitening rate are excluded.

[0047] Unripe grains refer to immature grains other than dead rice.

[0048] Foreign grains refer to grains other than this brown rice (or brown rice in the case of glutinous rice).

[0049] Inclusions refer to materials other than grains.

[0050] In brown rice that is disturbed by high temperature during the maturation period, the ratio of turbid white immature grains increases. These white immature grains are classified as "immature grains" in the above classification. Specifically, white immature grains are a general term for immature grains with turbid white endosperm, and include milky white grains, heart white grains, belly white immature grains, back white grains, base immature grains, etc. according to the turbid part.

[0051] The quality reduction caused by high temperature during the ripening period is closely related to the temperature 20 days after ear emergence. Some people reported that if the average daily temperature 20 days after ear emergence exceeds 27℃, the production rate of white unripe grains will increase.

[0052] By applying the present invention, when compared with the case where the present invention is not applied, if the ratio of whole grains is increased as shown by a decrease in the ratio of white unripe grains and the like, it can be evaluated that the brown rice quality improvement effect is exhibited.

[0053] The ratio of whole grains or immature grains can be measured by using a commercially available grain grader. For example, a grain grader "RGQI 20A" or "RGQI 100B" manufactured by SATAKE can be used.

[0054] Zerumbone is an 11-membered sesquiterpene, widely known as a natural substance abundant in the rhizome of Zingiber zerumbet Smith, and is the main component of Zingiber zerumbet Smith essential oil. The chemical name of zerumbone is (2E,6E,10E)-2,6,9,9-tetramethyl-2,6,10-cyclotridecene-1-one.

[0055] The zingiberone contained in red ginger can be used as the active ingredient contained in the quality improving agent of the present invention.

[0056] Specifically, for example, a squeezed juice, an extract, or a pulverized product of red ginger may be used as an active ingredient as it is, or two or more thereof may be mixed, or used after being subjected to appropriate treatment such as dilution, concentration, or purification.

[0057] When zingiberenone is obtained from a squeezed juice, an extract or a ground product of red ginger, the part of red ginger used as a raw material is not particularly limited, but the rhizome part rich in zingiberenone is preferably used.

[0058] Juicing can be performed using a juicer such as a pulping and screening machine. For example, red ginger is washed and sterilized, and then the ginger is drained and crushed appropriately, and then the juicer is used to perform the juice extraction.

[0059] The extraction method may be a known method such as solvent extraction or steam distillation.

[0060] The extraction solvent may be any solvent as long as it can extract zingerone, and examples thereof include water, alcohol, ether, ketone, ester, amide, aliphatic hydrocarbon, aromatic hydrocarbon and the like. One of these extraction solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof; if safety or environmental burden is considered, one of lower alcohol or water may be used alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0061] When the pulverized product of red ginger is used, the particle size is not particularly limited. For example, the median diameter (D 50 ) is 1 to 1000 μm. For example, a Microtrac particle size distribution measuring device "MT3300EXII" (manufactured by Nikkiso) can be used as a measuring device.

[0062] The formulation of the quality improving agent of the present invention is not particularly limited, and any formulation generally used in the agricultural field can be adopted.

[0063] Specifically, a solid carrier or a liquid carrier may be added, and a surfactant or other formulation adjuvant may be added as needed to prepare the formulation in various forms such as powders, granules, powder granules, wettable powders, water-dispersible granules, suspensions, suspended emulsions, oil-based suspension concentrates (OD: Oil-based suspension concentrates), hydrated tablets, aqueous solvents, granular aqueous solvents, water-soluble tablets, gel-like aqueous solvents, emulsions, liquids, oils, surfactants, aerosols, microcapsules, pastes, coatings, fumigants, fumigants, trace dispersants, diffusible granules (JUMBO agent, Mametsubu (registered trademark) agent), Le Granule (registered trademark) agent, floating granules (FG agent: Floating Granule agent), etc.), and all commonly used formulation forms may be used as long as they meet the purpose of the present invention.

[0064] The squeezed juice of red ginger containing zingiberenone as an active ingredient can be used directly as a quality improver, but solvents, surfactants, other formulation adjuvants, etc. can also be added as needed. The dosage form includes liquid preparations such as liquid preparations, emulsions, and suspoemulsions.

[0065] The red ginger extract containing zingerone as an active ingredient can be used directly as a quality improver, but solvents, surfactants, other preparation adjuvants, etc. can also be added as needed. The dosage form can include liquid preparations such as liquid preparations, emulsions, and suspoemulsions. In particular, when diluted with water for use, it is preferred to dissolve or evenly disperse the active ingredient so that the performance can be exerted, and the dosage form is preferably a liquid preparation.

[0066] The solvent should be selected in consideration of its compatibility with the extraction solvent; if safety or environmental burden is taken into consideration, water or lower alcohols are preferred, and lower alcohols are preferably ethanol.

[0067] The ground ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient can be used directly as a quality improver, but it can also be added with a bulking agent, a surfactant, other formulation adjuvants, etc. as needed. The dosage forms include powders, granules, powder granules, water-dispersible granules, wettable powders, suspensions, diffusible granules (JUMBO agent, Mametsubu (registered trademark) agent), Le Granules (registered trademark) agent, floating granules (FG agent: Floating Granule agent), etc.).

[0068] In the present invention, when zingiberone is applied to rice during cultivation, the application amount varies depending on weather conditions, soil conditions, formulation form, application period, etc., and cannot be generally determined; for example, it is shown below.

[0069] In the case of seed treatment, for example, the amount of zingiberone is preferably 0.1 mg to 10 mg, more preferably 0.25 mg to 5 mg, and particularly preferably 0.5 mg to 5 mg per 500 g of dry rice.

[0070] In the case of treatment in a nursery box, for example, based on the amount of zingiberone, it is preferably 0.1 mg to 15 mg per nursery box (inner dimensions: length 580 mm×width 280 mm×depth 28-30 mm), more preferably 0.2 mg to 10 mg, and particularly preferably 0.25 mg to 5 mg.

[0071] In addition, if it is applied after transplantation (spreading in a paddy field in a water-reserved state or a drained state, etc.), for example, based on the amount of zingerone, it is preferably 25 mg to 2000 mg per 10a, and more preferably 50 mg to 1000 mg. In this way, the quality improvement effect can be seen with a small amount of zingerone, and as mentioned above, the zingerone concentration of the active ingredient can be set lower than the active ingredient concentration in general agricultural preparations. For example, in Test Examples 2 and 3 described later, in the water-reserved spraying using a liquid agent, it was confirmed that a sufficient quality improvement effect can be obtained by spraying at an extremely low concentration of about 0.5 to 10 ppm after dilution with water.

[0072] When using a ground material of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, the amount of the ground material or the zingiber officinale concentration in the ground material may be appropriately set and adjusted in consideration of the zingiber officinale content in the ground material so that the amount of zingiber officinale falls within the above-mentioned appropriate range.

[0073] The rice to which the present invention is applicable is not particularly limited, and may be rice that has or may have quality deterioration due to the production of unripe white grains or the like.

[0074] The variety of rice is not particularly limited. It can be a morphological transformation made using gene recombination technology or genome editing technology. For example, it includes those that are endowed with environmental stress resistance, herbicide resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, etc., or those that have changed growth, ripening characteristics, product quality or yield, etc. Furthermore, it also includes stacked varieties composed of a combination of these multiple useful characteristics.

[0075] In the present invention, when zingiberone is applied to rice during cultivation, the application period is not particularly limited, and the application may be applied during any growth period of the vegetative growth period, the reproductive growth period, or the mature period, or may be applied multiple times covering different growth periods.

[0076] In addition, during the application period, unexpectedly, it was confirmed that the quality improvement effect can be obtained not only after transplanting to the paddy field, but also during seed treatment or the seedling stage before transplanting (refer to the following test examples 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). In this case, the production of white unripe grains is caused by high temperature interference during the maturity period. Therefore, even if it is applied to the seeds or seedlings at a stage far beyond the maturity period, its effect is sustainable and the quality improvement effect can be obtained. This was determined after actual verification and is an unexpected effect.

[0077] When applied during seed soaking as a seed treatment, it is preferably carried out from the start day of seed soaking to the day of sowing, more preferably from 7 days before sowing to the day before sowing, and particularly preferably from 3 days before sowing to the day before sowing.

[0078] When applying during the seedling raising period, it is preferably applied from after sowing to the day of transplanting, more preferably applied during the period from the budding period to 1 day before transplanting, and particularly preferably applied during the period from the initial stage of greening to 1 day before transplanting. When applying during the period from a few days before transplanting to the day of transplanting, for example, it is preferably applied during the period from 7 days before transplanting to 1 day before transplanting. More specifically, examples include treatment at the initial stage of greening, treatment 7 days before transplanting, treatment 3 days before transplanting, and treatment 1 day before transplanting.

[0079] The early greening stage referred to here refers to the time when the white buds (sheath leaves) growing from the rice grains break the shells and sharp green buds emerge from them during the period of making the seedlings light-resistant, and the front ends open and the leaves begin to unfold.

[0080] When applying after transplanting, it is preferably applied from transplanting to the heading stage, more preferably applied from 45 to 35 days before heading to the heading stage, and particularly preferably applied from the young ear formation stage to the heading stage.

[0081] In the present invention, when applying zingerone to rice during cultivation, the application method is not particularly limited, and general application methods such as seed treatment, stem and leaf treatment, soil treatment, treatment of paddy fields in a water storage state or a drainage state, and seedling box treatment (stem and leaf treatment, irrigation treatment, immersion treatment, pool seedling cultivation) can be adopted. It does not only include the case of direct application to the whole or part of rice (stem and leaf, ear, root, seed, etc.), but also includes the case of application to the growth environment of rice.

[0082] Seed treatment is not particularly limited as long as it is a method of applying zingerone to seeds before sowing, and various methods such as immersion treatment, powder coating treatment, and coating treatment can be used. In addition, the period is not particularly limited, and it can be any one of before soaking, during soaking, and after soaking. The treatment during soaking (immersion treatment) can be performed by using an aqueous solution containing zingerone instead of water for soaking.

[0083] In the seedling raising stage, it is preferred to treat the seedlings in a nursery box so that the stems and leaves or roots absorb zingiberenone. In addition, not only in the case of irrigation treatment or immersion treatment, but also in the case of stem and leaf treatment, a certain amount of liquid that flows into the soil will be absorbed by the roots.

[0084] In addition, after transplantation, it is preferred to spread zingerone on a paddy field in a water storage state or a drainage state so that the stems and leaves or roots absorb zingerone. Specifically, stem and leaf spreading on a paddy field in a water storage state or a drainage state; water storage spreading on the entire surface of a paddy field in a water storage state or a drainage state; water storage peripheral spreading along the peripheral part of the field boundary of a paddy field in a water storage state; aerial spreading on a paddy field in a water storage state or a drainage state by a drone, etc. Spreading can be carried out using commonly used spreading machines such as a sprayer (Boom Sprayer), a power spreader, a manned or unmanned helicopter, a drone, etc. In addition, spreading can be carried out by hand without using a machine.

[0085] In addition, in the above, transplanting cultivation is mainly used as an example for explanation, and when applying zingerone to rice during the cultivation period, the cultivation method of rice is not particularly limited, and it can be any of direct seeding and transplanting cultivation, and can also be dry land or water storage. For example, when applying zingerone in direct seeding, various options can be considered: in dry land direct seeding, a method of applying it mixed with a seed treatment agent or a method of spreading it during the first season; in water storage direct seeding, a method of applying it during seed soaking or a method of mixing it with a coating agent (iron, copper, iron oxide, molybdenum, etc.); a method of spreading it during the first season, and a combination of these various options.

[0086] In the present invention, when applying zingiberone to rice during the cultivation period, zingiberone can also be combined with other ingredients such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, plant growth regulators, phytotoxicity reducing agents, fertilizers, soil conditioners, agricultural materials, etc. As for the combination method, various preparations can be mixed and used when applied, or two of them can be formulated and used together. In addition, it is not necessary to use each at a time, but it can be used multiple times, and each can also be used at different periods.

[0087] Example

[0088] Hereinafter, although test examples and preparation examples are shown in order to explain the brown rice quality improving agent and the brown rice quality improving method of the present invention in more detail, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0089] In Test Examples 4, 5, 10, and 11 described below, the ground red ginger used was ground red ginger having been ground into a particle size of about several tens to several hundreds of μm.

[0090] [Test Example 1]

[0091] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0092] The seedling raising box is filled with seedling raising soil and rice seeds (variety: Koshihikari, Kinuhikari or Hitomebore) are sown. The conventional seedling raising is carried out. Three days before transplanting or one day before transplanting, the above-mentioned zingerone-containing liquid is diluted 500 times with water and the diluted solution is spread on the stems and leaves with 500 mL in each seedling raising box (inner dimensions: length 580 mm × width 280 mm × depth 29 mm; the same for other test examples) through a pressurized sprayer. In addition, as a comparative control group, water without active ingredients is used for cultivation in the same manner (hereinafter referred to as the untreated area). Afterwards, the seeds are mechanically transplanted to paddy fields and conventional cultivation is carried out until harvest.

[0093] After harvest, the milled brown rice was threshed, milled, and screened by a rice grader, and the quality of the brown rice was measured using a grain classifier (product name: RGQI 20A) manufactured by SATAKE Co., Ltd., and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of the milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3 below.

[0094] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 35.2℃, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 25.1℃, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 29.1℃, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0095] 1 day before transplantation

[0096] Table 1

[0097] Koshihikari rice;

[0098]

[0099] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains, second table silky rice;

[0100]

[0101] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0102] Table 3

[0103] Love at first sight rice;

[0104]

[0105] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0106] As shown in Tables 1 to 3, by spreading the water-diluted solution of the zingiberone-containing liquid on the stems and leaves during the rice seedling period, the effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains can be seen in all varieties compared with the untreated area, and the effect of suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality can be exerted. The reason for the increase in the proportion of whole grains was specifically examined. The proportion of white immature grains, which are particularly prone to problems under high temperature conditions during the maturity period, was reduced compared with the untreated area, which confirmed that it helped to increase the proportion of whole grains. In addition, in addition to white immature grains, the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice was also reduced compared with the untreated area, which also confirmed that it helped to increase the proportion of whole grains.

[0107] [Test Example 2]

[0108] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0109] After filling the seedling raising soil in the seedling raising box and sowing rice seeds (variety: silk rice), the seedlings were raised in rows and mechanically transplanted to paddy fields. At the booting stage (63 days after transplantation and 11 days before heading) or heading stage (74 days after transplantation), the above-mentioned zingerone-containing liquid was diluted 100 times or 1000 times with water equivalent to 100L per 10a, and the aqueous solution was stored and spread through a pipette.

[0110] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 20A), and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Tables 4 to 5 below.

[0111] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 33.4°C, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 25.2°C, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 28.6°C, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0112] Table 4

[0113] Booting stage;

[0114]

[0115] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0116] Table 5

[0117] Heading stage;

[0118]

[0119] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0120] As shown in Tables 4 and 5, when the water-diluted solution containing zingiberone was applied to the rice during the reproductive growth period (booting stage and heading stage after transplantation), the effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains was observed compared with the untreated area, and the effect of suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality was observed. In Test Example 2, it was also confirmed that the proportion of white immature grains was reduced compared with the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice other than white immature grains was also reduced compared with the untreated area, which showed that it helped to increase the proportion of whole grains.

[0121] [Test Example 3]

[0122] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0123] After the seedling raising box is filled with seedling raising soil and rice seeds (variety: silk rice) are sown, the seedlings are raised in rows and mechanically transplanted to paddy fields. At the panicle formation stage (55 days after transplantation), the above-mentioned zingerone-containing liquid is diluted 100 times, 500 times, 1000 times or 2000 times with water equivalent to 100L per 10a, and the aqueous solution is spread by water storage through a pipette.

[0124] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 20A), and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 6 below.

[0125] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 35.2℃, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 25.1℃, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 29.1℃, which are conditions that may cause high temperature interference with ripening.

[0126] Table 6

[0127]

[0128] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0129] Table 6 (Continued)

[0130]

[0131] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0132] As shown in Table 6, the zingiberone-containing liquid agent, regardless of the dilution concentration, can increase the proportion of whole grains compared to the untreated area, and play a role in suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality. In Test Example 3, it can also be confirmed that the proportion of white immature grains is reduced compared to the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice other than white immature grains is also reduced compared to the untreated area, which shows that it helps to increase the proportion of whole grains.

[0133] [Test Example 4]

[0134] After filling the seedling raising box with seedling raising soil and sowing rice seeds (variety: silk rice), the seedlings were raised in rows and mechanically transplanted to paddy fields. At the panicle formation stage (55 days after transplantation and 23 days before the emergence of the panicle), the ground red ginger containing zingiberenone (the concentration was adjusted by adding dextrin so that the content of zingiberenone was 0.01% by weight) was diluted 500 times or 1000 times with 100L of water per 10a, and the aqueous solution was stored and spread through a pipette.

[0135] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier (product name: RGQI 20A) manufactured by Satake Co., Ltd., and the ratio of the number of grains of each identification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 7 below.

[0136] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 35.2℃, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 25.1℃, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 29.1℃, which are conditions that may cause high temperature interference with ripening.

[0137] Table 7

[0138]

[0139] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0140] As shown in Table 7, the crushed ginger containing zingiberenone has an effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains compared with the untreated area at any dilution concentration, and plays a role in suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality. In Test Example 4, it was also confirmed that the proportion of white immature grains was reduced compared with the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice other than white immature grains was also reduced compared with the untreated area, which shows that it helps to increase the proportion of whole grains.

[0141] [Test Example 5]

[0142] 1 part by weight of ground ginger containing zingiber officinale (dextrin was added to adjust the concentration so that the content of zingiber officinale was 1% by weight), 5 parts by weight of sodium tripolyphosphate, 3 parts by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 30 parts by weight of bentonite, 1 part by weight of dialkyl sulfosuccinate salt, 2 parts by weight of polycarboxylic acid type anion active agent and 58 parts by weight of calcium carbonate were uniformly mixed. An appropriate amount of water was added to the mixed powder and kneaded. The obtained kneaded product was extruded and granulated by a cage type extrusion granulator and dried to obtain zingiber officinale-containing granules.

[0143] After filling the seedling raising soil in the seedling raising box and sowing the rice seeds (variety: silk rice), the seedlings were raised in rows and mechanically transplanted to paddy fields. During the panicle formation period (51 days after transplantation and 20 days before the emergence of the panicle) or the booting period (63 days after transplantation and 8 days before the emergence of the panicle), the granules containing zingerone prepared above were spread by hand in water (treatment dosage 1kg / 10a).

[0144] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 20A), and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 8 below.

[0145] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the maturity period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 29.8℃, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 23.2℃, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 25.9℃.

[0146] Table 8

[0147]

[0148] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0149] Although the temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading in this test was not a condition that easily caused high temperature ripening interference, the quality improvement effect was still confirmed when compared with the untreated area. Specifically, it can be seen from Table 8 that the granules containing zingiberenone can be seen to increase the proportion of whole grains, thereby playing a role in inhibiting the reduction of brown rice quality. In Test Example 5, it can also be confirmed that the proportion of white immature grains is reduced compared with the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice other than white immature grains is also reduced compared with the untreated area, which can be seen to help increase the proportion of whole grains.

[0150] [Test Example 6]

[0151] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0152] The seedling box was filled with seedling culture soil and rice seeds (variety: silk rice) were sown. The seedlings were raised in a conventional row. 7 days before transplantation, 3 days before transplantation or 1 day before transplantation, the above-mentioned liquid containing zingerone was diluted with water to a predetermined concentration of diluted solution and spread on the stems and leaves by a pressurized sprayer at 500 mL per seedling box. In addition, as a comparative control group, water without active ingredients was used for cultivation in the same manner (hereinafter referred to as the untreated area). Thereafter, the seeds were mechanically transplanted to paddy fields and cultivated in a conventional row until harvest.

[0153] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 100B), and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Tables 9 to 11 below.

[0154] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 33.5°C, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 24.9°C, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 28.4°C, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0155] Table 9

[0156] Transplanted 7 days ago

[0157]

[0158] White unripe grains; milky white grains + unripe grains at the base + white grains at the belly Table 9 continued

[0159]

[0160] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0161] Table 110

[0162] Transplanted 3 days ago

[0163]

[0164] White unripe grains; milky white grains + unripe grains at the base + white grains at the belly Table 10 continued

[0165]

[0166] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains Table 11

[0167] 1 day before transplantation

[0168]

[0169] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0170] Table 11 continued

[0171]

[0172] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0173] From the results shown in Tables 9 to 11, the zingiberone-containing solution, regardless of the dilution concentration, showed an effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains compared with the untreated plot, and played an effect of inhibiting the deterioration of brown rice quality. It can be seen that the ratio of immature grains (mainly white immature grains) was reduced compared with the untreated plot, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice also showed a tendency to decrease, and the result showed that the proportion of whole grains was increased.

[0174] [Test Example 7]

[0175] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0176] The seedling box is filled with seedling culture soil and rice seeds (variety: silk rice) are sown. The seedlings are raised in rows. When the first leaf stage is unfolded after the greening is completed and the second leaf stage is just beginning, the above-mentioned liquid containing zingerone is diluted with water to a predetermined concentration and irrigated to about 1 to 2 cm above the seedling box. In addition, as a comparative control group, water without active ingredients is used for cultivation in the same way (hereinafter referred to as the untreated area). Afterwards, the seeds are mechanically transplanted to paddy fields and cultivated in rows until harvest.

[0177] After harvest, the brown rice that was threshed, milled, and screened by a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 100B), and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 12 below.

[0178] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 33.5°C, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 24.9°C, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 28.4°C, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0179] Table 12

[0180]

[0181] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0182] From the results shown in Table 12, in the pool-type seedling cultivation using the liquid agent containing zingiberone, the effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains was observed compared with the untreated area, and the effect of suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality was observed. It can be seen that the ratio of immature grains (mainly white immature grains) was reduced compared with the untreated area, and the ratio of damaged grains or dead rice also showed a tendency to decrease, and as a result, it can be seen that the proportion of whole grains was increased.

[0183] [Test Example 8]

[0184] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0185] Fill the seedling raising box with seedling raising soil and sow rice seeds (variety: silk rice). Carry out conventional row seedling raising. 7 days before transplanting, 3 days before transplanting or 1 day before transplanting, prepare a diluted solution of the above-mentioned zingerone-containing liquid with water 500 times, and immerse it to about 1 to 2 cm above the seedling raising box. After immersion for 24 hours, drain the water and carry out general seedling raising management. In addition, as a comparative control group, use water without active ingredients to carry out cultivation in the same way (hereinafter referred to as the untreated area). Afterwards, mechanically transplant to paddy field farmland and carry out conventional row cultivation until harvest.

[0186] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by SATAKE (product name: RGQI 100B), and the ratio of the number of grains of each identification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 13 below.

[0187] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 33.5°C, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 24.9°C, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 28.4°C, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0188] Table 13

[0189]

[0190] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0191] From the results shown in Table 13, it can be seen that the immersion treatment using the liquid agent containing zingiberone has an effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains compared with the untreated area, and has an effect of suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality. It can be seen that the ratio of immature grains (mainly white immature grains) has decreased compared with the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice has also tended to decrease, and as a result, it can be seen that the proportion of whole grains has increased.

[0192] [Test Example 9]

[0193] The ethanol extract of the rhizome of ginger was adjusted with water and ethanol so that the concentration of zingiber officinale was 1000 ppm and the ethanol aqueous solution was 50% by weight, thereby preparing a zingiber officinale-containing liquid.

[0194] A 1L diluted solution containing zingerone was prepared by diluting 500 times with water, and 500g of rice seeds (variety: silk rice) were soaked in the diluted solution only 24 hours before sowing, and then sown in a seedling box filled with seedling culture soil. In addition, as a comparative control group, water without active ingredients was used to soak the seeds and cultivate them until sowing (hereinafter referred to as the untreated area). Afterwards, the seeds were mechanically transplanted to paddy fields and cultivated until harvest.

[0195] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 100B), and the ratio of the number of grains of each identification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 14 below.

[0196] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 33.5°C, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 24.9°C, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 28.4°C, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0197] Table 14

[0198]

[0199] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0200] From the results shown in Table 14, it can be seen that the seed treatment using the liquid agent containing zingiberone has an effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains compared with the untreated area, and plays a role in suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality. It can be seen that the ratio of immature grains (mainly white immature grains) has decreased compared with the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice has also shown a tendency to decrease, and as a result, it can be seen that the proportion of whole grains has increased.

[0201] [Test Example 10]

[0202] 1 part by weight of ground ginger containing zingiber officinale (dextrin was added to adjust the concentration so that the content of zingiber officinale was 1% by weight), 5 parts by weight of sodium tripolyphosphate, 3 parts by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 30 parts by weight of bentonite, 1 part by weight of dialkyl sulfosuccinate salt, 2 parts by weight of polycarboxylic acid type anion active agent and 58 parts by weight of calcium carbonate were uniformly mixed. An appropriate amount of water was added to the mixed powder and kneaded. The obtained kneaded product was extruded and granulated by a cage type extrusion granulator and dried to obtain zingiber officinale-containing granules.

[0203] Fill the seedling raising box with seedling raising soil and sow rice seeds (variety: silk rice). Carry out conventional row seedling raising. When the first leaf stage is unfolded after the greening is completed and the second leaf stage is just beginning, irrigate to about 1 to 2 cm above the seedling raising box, and spread 50g or 10g of the above-mentioned zingerone-containing granules in each seedling raising box by hand using water. As a comparative control group, the water without active ingredients is used for cultivation in the same way (hereinafter referred to as the untreated area). Afterwards, the rice is mechanically transplanted to paddy fields and conventional row cultivation is carried out until harvest.

[0204] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 100B), and the ratio of the number of grains of each identification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 15 below.

[0205] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the ripening period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 33.5°C, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 24.9°C, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 28.4°C, which are conditions that may cause high-temperature ripening interference.

[0206] Table 15

[0207]

[0208] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0209] From the results shown in Table 15, in the pool-type seedling cultivation using the granules containing zingiberone, the effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains was observed compared with the untreated area, and the effect of suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality was observed. It can be seen that the ratio of immature grains (mainly white immature grains) was reduced compared with the untreated area, and the ratio of damaged grains or dead rice also showed a tendency to decrease, and as a result, it can be seen that the proportion of whole grains was increased.

[0210] [Test Example 11]

[0211] 1 part by weight of ground ginger containing zingiber officinale (dextrin was added to adjust the concentration so that the content of zingiber officinale was 1% by weight), 5 parts by weight of sodium tripolyphosphate, 3 parts by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 30 parts by weight of bentonite, 1 part by weight of dialkyl sulfosuccinate salt, 2 parts by weight of polycarboxylic acid type anion active agent and 58 parts by weight of calcium carbonate were uniformly mixed. An appropriate amount of water was added to the mixed powder and kneaded. The obtained kneaded product was extruded and granulated by a cage type extrusion granulator and dried to obtain zingiber officinale-containing granules.

[0212] After filling the seedling raising soil in the seedling raising box and sowing rice seeds (variety: silk rice), the seedlings were raised in rows and mechanically transplanted to paddy fields. At the booting stage (78 days after transplantation and 11 days before heading), the granules containing zingerone prepared above were spread in water by the drone "AGRAS T10" (DJI JAPAN Co., Ltd.) (treatment dosage 1kg / 10a). The drone was spread with a spreading opening degree of 8-10% and a spreading height of about 2m; repeated spreading was performed for uniform spreading.

[0213] After harvest, the milled brown rice obtained by threshing, milling and screening with a rice grader was measured for brown rice quality using a grain classifier manufactured by Satake (product name: RGQI 100B), and the ratio of the number of grains of each classification item (whole grains, damaged grains, etc.) per 1,000 grains of milled brown rice was calculated. The results are shown in Table 16 below.

[0214] In addition, in this experiment, the average temperature during the maturity period 20 days after heading was as follows: maximum temperature (20-day average of daily maximum temperature): 31.9℃, minimum temperature (20-day average of daily minimum temperature): 23.2℃, and average temperature (20-day average of daily average temperature): 26.6℃.

[0215] Table 16

[0216]

[0217] White unripe grains; milky white grains + base unripe grains + belly white grains

[0218] From the results shown in Table 16, the drone spraying of zebuconazole-containing granules showed an effect of increasing the proportion of whole grains compared to the untreated area, and played a role in suppressing the deterioration of brown rice quality. It can be seen that the ratio of immature grains (mainly white immature grains) was reduced compared to the untreated area, and the proportion of damaged grains or dead rice also showed a tendency to decrease, and the result showed that the proportion of whole grains was increased.

[0219] In addition, regarding the results of Table 16, the superiority of the untreated area in terms of the improvement in the ratio of whole grains is still slightly unclear. The reason for this is probably that the average daily temperature on the 20th day after heading was 26.6°C, and the quality of the untreated area did not drop significantly, so it was difficult to see the difference from the treated area. In addition, since it is difficult to form an untreated area on the farmland used for drone distribution, the untreated area was formed on farmland outside the treated area, which caused a difference in the growth environment between the treated area and the untreated area.

[0220] [Preparation Example]

[0221] In order to clarify that the applicable scope of the present invention is not limited to a specific dosage form, preparation examples are shown below for various dosage forms. Hereinafter, "%" means "% by weight" and "part" means "part by weight".

[0222] <Preparation Example 1: Liquid>

[0223] Water was added to the ethanol extract of red ginger to obtain a liquid preparation containing 0.1% of zingiberenone.

[0224] <Preparation Example 2: Emulsion>

[0225] 1 part of polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether was added to 10 parts of the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent extract of red ginger and mixed uniformly, and an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent containing 10% of polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether was added to obtain an emulsion containing 0.1% of zingiberone.

[0226] <Preparation Example 3: Suspension Emulsion>

[0227] 1 part of polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether and 0.2 parts of calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate were added to 10 parts of the aromatic hydrocarbon solvent extract of red ginger and mixed uniformly, and a 10% propylene glycol aqueous solution was added to make it uniform to obtain a suspension emulsion containing 0.1% zingiberone.

[0228] <Preparation Example 4: Suspension>

[0229] 40 parts of ground red ginger containing zingiber officinale (zingiber officinale content 1%), 1 part of sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde condensate, 0.1 part of polydimethylsiloxane emulsion, 0.05 part of xanthan gum and 40 parts of water were added and wet-ground to obtain a suspension.

[0230] <Formulation Example 5: Wettable Powder>

[0231] 50 parts of ground ginger containing zingiber officinale (zingiber officinale content 1%), 6 parts of sodium lignin sulfonate, 2 parts of metal salt of alkylbenzene sulfonate and 42 parts of clay were stirred and mixed to obtain a wettable powder.

[0232] <Preparation Example 6: JUMBO Agent>

[0233] Mix 2 parts of ground ginger containing zingiberone (1% zingiberone content), 3 parts of sodium naphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde condensate metal salt, 0.5 parts of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 27 parts of starch, 5 parts of dialkyl sulfosuccinate salt and 62.5 parts of hollow ceramics. Add an appropriate amount of water to the mixed powder and knead. The obtained kneaded product is extruded and granulated with a cage-type extrusion granulator and dried to obtain granules. The granules are packed into a polyvinyl alcohol film bag to obtain a JUMBO agent.

[0234] <Preparation Example 7: Water-dispersible granules>

[0235] 40 parts of ground ginger containing zingiberenone (zingiberenone content 1%), 16 parts of sodium lignin sulfonate, 4 parts of alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, 5 parts of bentonite and 35 parts of clay were mixed. The mixture was put into a mixer (manufactured by Iwatani) and mixed. The mixed powder was transferred to a mortar and kneaded with an appropriate amount of water. The obtained kneaded product was extruded and granulated with a cage-type extrusion granulator and dried to obtain a water-dispersible granule.

[0236] In addition, the entire contents of the specification, claims, and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-130643 filed on August 18, 2022, and the entire contents of the specification, claims, and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-199099 filed on December 14, 2022 are cited herein and incorporated as the disclosed contents of the specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. A brown rice quality improving agent comprising zingiberenone as an effective ingredient.

2. The brown rice quality improving agent according to claim 1, which is composed of a squeezed juice, an extract or a ground product of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, or contains at least one of these.

3. The brown rice quality improving agent according to claim 2, which is composed of a squeezed juice or an extract of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient, or contains at least one of these.

4. The brown rice quality improving agent according to claim 3, which is a liquid, an emulsion or a suspoemulsion.

5. The brown rice quality improving agent according to claim 2, which is composed of a ground product of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an effective ingredient, or contains the ground product.

6. The brown rice quality improving agent according to claim 5, which is in the form of a powder, granules, powder granules, wettable powder, water-dispersible granules, suspension or diffusible granules.

7. A method for improving the quality of brown rice, comprising the step of applying zingiberenone to rice during cultivation.

8. The method for improving the quality of brown rice according to claim 7, wherein the application is to apply at least one selected from a squeezed juice, an extract and a ground product of red ginger containing zingiber officinale as an active ingredient to rice.

9. The method for improving the quality of brown rice according to claim 7 or 8, wherein zingiberenone is applied to rice in the seedling stage. 10 . The method for improving the quality of brown rice according to claim 9 , wherein zingiberenone is applied during the period from the early stage of greening of rice to the day of transplanting.

11. The method for improving the quality of brown rice according to claim 7 or 8, wherein zingiberenone is applied to transplanted rice.

12. The method for improving the quality of brown rice according to claim 7 or 8, wherein zingiberenone is applied to seeds before sowing.

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