Rice leaves or ricegrass—available biomaterial with potential biological activities for different industrial applications: a review

Rice ( Oryza sativa ) is one of the main cereal food crops, consumed by over half of the world’s population. Rice seed is well-documented for containing high nutritional and various biological values. Recent studies have paid attention to rice leaves at vegetative stages or so-called ricegrass. This study aims to review research papers relating to rice leaves or ricegrass. The literature search was conducted in online scientific databases for rice leaves or ricegrass, using a combination of keyword searches relating to nutritional composition, phytochemical profile and biological activities. Results showed that young rice leaves or ricegrass contained bioactive phytochemical compounds that possessed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer and protective properties. Ricegrass and wheatgrass bore similarities in the contents of chlorophylls and polyphenols. Identified phytochemical compounds in ricegrass, especially phenolic compounds are promising for anti-bacterial, anti-viral, prebiotic-like and other health-promoting properties. The widespread cultivation of rice fields in Asian countries provides available biomaterial for different applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. This review will provide new ideas for rice agriculture in using rice leaves or ricegrass as a new biomaterial for producing naturally derived products. Graphical Abstract Highlights Rice leaves contain nutritional values and bioactive phytochemical compounds Rice leaves possess antioxidation, antiinflammation, antiobesity, and anticancer Rice leaves are promising for prebiotic-like, antibacterial and antiviral effects Ricegrass is a potential biomaterial for different industrial applications