Health properties of γ-oryzanol and its applications: A review

γ-Oryzanol is a mixture of steryl ferulates with potential health benefits that is primarily found in rice bran. The review focused on the new studies about the health properties of γ-oryzanol and its applications. There have been studies on the extraction, separation and purification of γ-oryzanol at 90 to 99.24 % of rice bran oil, and 39.73 % to 98.15 % recovery from its waste. γ-Oryzanol has health properties due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of its structure such as improved metabolic syndrome, modulated chronic diseases, promoted neurotransmitters and protects against Covid-19. The natural bioactivity of γ-oryzanol has potential diverse applications for healthy foods, including zero trans-fat/low saturated fatty acid products, slow-digestive foods and 3D food printing (plant-based foods). Particularly, γ-oryzanol was loaded into nutraceutical delivery systems to improve health disorders. Recent studies showed a new way of application to the production of food-preserving and friendly packaging in the future.