LAUSR

Egyptian rice bran was fermented with baker’s yeast, and released phenolics were extracted with aqueous methanol to give fermented rice bran extract (FRBE). The analysis of the FRBE with ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry revealed 21 compounds, mainly phenolic acids and flavonoids. The FRBE was then complexed with (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) via noncovalent host–guest inclusion complexation using the thin-film hydration technique to improve the hydrophilicity and bioactivity of the FRBE. The formation of the inclusion complex was confirmed using HPLC, 1H NMR, FT-IR, and a phase solubility study. In addition, the biological activities of the complex were investigated. The FRBE/HPβCD inclusion complex had more pronounced antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer activities compared to free FRBE. These findings warrant the future investigation of potential medical applications of FRBE.