Statistical Evaluation of the Protein Enrichment of Rice Bran Using Spouted Bed

This study evaluated the viability of the spouted bed technique in the enrichment process of degreased rice bran, in the pellets form, with bovine blood. The protein enrichment of the pellets was carried out in a cone-cylindrical spouted bed, in order to obtain a final product with protein content of around 0: 24 kg kg(sample)(-1) (pet food type). The effects of pellet load, flow rate of blood solution, and inlet air temperature were analyzed. The responses were protein content and mass yield of product. The best condition was found with pellet load of 1.6 kg, flow rate of blood solution of 1.6 L h(-1), and inlet air temperature of 110 degrees C. In this condition, mass yield values of 90.2 +/- 0.1% and protein content of 0.243 +/- 0.002 kg kg(sample)(-1) were found. Increased protein solubility and digestibility in the product in relation to the pellet in natura were observed.