Summary This study aimed to determine the influence of Spirulina platensis and edible polymer coating on the physicochemical and texture properties, and sensory acceptance of coated instant rice: glutinous white rice (GWR), glutinous black rice (GBR), non‐glutinous white rice (NWR) and non‐glutinous black rice (NBR). Instant rice was cooked and dried, and then coated by a pan‐coating process. Black rice varieties (GBR and NBR) showed higher amounts of protein, fibre, ash and bioactive compounds than white rice varieties (GWR and NWR). The Spirulina‐coated rice had significantly improved texture properties, especially black rice cultivars. The hedonic rating of the coated instant rice ranged from 5 (neither like nor dislike) to 6 (slightly liked), and GBR obtained a higher acceptability score (6.93). Principal component analysis models allowed sample classification. Therefore, fortification with Spirulina as a coating on instant rice could be an alternative way to produce functional instant rice with extra health benefits.

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Coating is an effective and economic strategy to increase the functional property of food products. This study investigated the technical feasibility of adding Spirulina platensis to edible polymers, namely carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and maltodextrin (MD), in the coating of instant jasmine rice, using a central composite design (CCD). A total of 10 edible coating formulations comprising CMC (10–30% w/v) and MD (1–5% w/v) were evaluated to optimize the most suitable combination of physicochemical properties, textural attributes, and sensory acceptance. The resulting rice fortified with S. platensis and hydrocolloids showed improved textural and functional properties favourable for consumer acceptance. Among these, the optimum (20.0% MD, 1.0% CMC, and 2.0% S. platensis powder) increased the physicochemical properties and decreased textural properties compared with those of uncoated rice. This condition showed phycocyanin content of 1.4 mg/g, chlorophyll a of 181.5 µg/g, total phenolic compound (TPC) of 137.3 µg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of 3.8 mg ferrous (Fe2+)/g with overall acceptability of 7.1 (like moderately). It can be stated that masking the colour and flavour of Spirulina with an edible coating could be a healthy alternative to commercial rice and used to fortify cereal products with algae.

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