An overview of major domestically grown grains and their characteristics. [Rural Development Administration]
An overview of major domestically grown grains and their characteristics. [Rural Development Administration]

South Korea's Rural Development Administration has identified for the first time the optimal blending ratios of domestic grains to maximize their anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects, completing patent registration in the process. The research is expected to be commercialized into 15 products — including medically tailored foods and senior-friendly options — boosting the domestic grain industry.

The administration announced Wednesday that it had analyzed the functional properties of domestic grains and developed mixing ratios that maximize their blood sugar- and blood pressure-lowering effects.

Beginning in 2019, researchers conducted collaborative studies to identify domestic grain varieties with strong anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive activity and establish optimal blending ratios. Animal testing of the resulting grain mixture showed a 22 percent reduction in fasting blood glucose and a 20 percent drop in systolic blood pressure.

The technology has so far led to 10 technology transfers. A total of 15 products have been launched, spanning mixed grain blends, powdered grain drinks, porridge, snacks and rice cakes, as well as medically tailored food beverages and senior-friendly frozen rice.

An economic analysis by the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries projected that the technology's development and dissemination would generate 9.1 billion won ($5.96 million) in production and support 147 jobs. Some companies that received the technology transfer have seen sales of related products more than double compared with the previous year, and follow-on commercialization efforts are underway.

The administration plans to expand contract farming production complexes and deepen cooperation with food companies to grow domestic grain consumption and industrialization. It has signed MOUs with Daesang Welllife, Nonghyup Grain and Lotte Mart to pursue the development of premium processed grain foods and expand retail distribution.

"We will actively support the development of high-value-added materials using domestic food crops and help secure a leading position in the health food market," said Kim Byeong-seok, director of the National Institute of Crop Science under the Rural Development Administration. "We will strengthen the cooperative framework spanning production, processing, retail and consumption to raise the added value of domestic food crops."


adastra@heraldcorp.com