Bioactive compounds of wild rice (Zizania spp.): Review on composition, processing, and health-promoting attributes

The plant of the genus Zizania has seeds similar to rice grains (Oryza sativa), popularly called “wild rice”, which have a dark color. Studies relate this grain to high levels of bioactive compounds, with numerous functional properties, which bring great health benefits. In recent years, research has grown about the characterization of phytochemical compounds in wild rice, but their research is still little known, mainly by potential consumers of this grain. With the growing consumer interest in these healthier rice genotypes and their potential use in the food industry, the main challenge is to expand the processing options without affecting the levels of bioactive compounds, since they are highly unstable when exposed to thermal processes. With this, the present review aimed to encompass greater knowledge about the effect of genotype, processing, and health-promoting attributes on the profile of bioactive compounds of wild rice grains. [Display omitted] •The review summarized the recent studies of bioactive compounds in wild rice.•Effects of post-harvest system and processing on bioactive compounds are discussed.•Genotype and growing environment impact bioactive compounds in wild rice.•Wild rice shows great bioactive compounds with positive health effects.•Future studies on the bioactive compounds of wild rice must be carried out.