Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım Ve Doğa Dergisi · Sep 20, 2026

Rice Bran as a Novel Dietary Supplement Improves Lifespan, Antioxidant Defense, and Locomotor Performance in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

By FİDAN M

Aging is characterized by declining physiological functions and weakened antioxidant defenses. Rice bran, a nutrient-dense byproduct rich in bioactive compounds, offers potential to modulate these systems, yet its in vivo effects on aging remain underexplored. We investigated the impact of dietary rice bran supplementation on lifespan, antioxidant enzyme activity, and functional capacity in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Adult male flies were fed control or rice bran-supplemented diets (0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.5% w/w). Survival, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and locomotor function were assessed. Optimal rice bran dosage significantly extended mean lifespan by 18–22% and median survival (p < 0.01), accompanied by increased antioxidant enzyme activities: SOD (25–30%), CAT (20–25%), and GPx (15–20%) (p < 0.05). Supplemented flies exhibited attenuated locomotor decline and preserved climbing ability compared to controls (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that dietary rice bran promotes longevity and functional maintenance in D. melanogaster through balanced antioxidant regulation, supporting optimized redox homeostasis as a critical determinant of healthspan.

doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1872695 Open access Interventions