Comparison of nutritional and trace element concentrations in some Sri Lankan traditional rice varieties

Abstract

Recently, traditional rice cultivars have become more popular than new, enhanced rice varieties, with the main focus being on their health benefits. Few rice cultivars have been thoroughly studied to understand their nutritional and health benefits. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission/mass spectroscopy methods were used to determine the concentrations of 24 key nutrients and trace elements in 104 traditional rice types (Oryza sativa L.) grown in Sri Lanka. Compared to the Codex Alimentarius provisional tolerable daily intake for 24 different elements, the concentrations of toxic elements such as As, Cd, Pb and Cr were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and most of the nutritional elemental concentrations were substantially higher (P < 0.05) in evaluated traditional rice varieties. Furthermore, Pb, Bi, B, K, Mg, S, Zn and Fe concentrations among traditional rice varieties were not substantially different (P > 0.05). Notably, several traditional rice varieties (i.e. Rathu Heenati, Pragathi Wee, Weda Heenati, etc.) contained significantly high levels of selenium (≈250 μg L−1 DM, P < 0.05), an important trace element that is deficient in the diets of 1 billion people globally.