Influence of cooking on nutrient composition in provitamin a-biofortified rice

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different cooking methods on the nutrient composition of genetically modified (GM) provitamin A(PA)-biofortified rice. PA-biofortified rice was subjected to different cooking methods, namely boiling and a soaking, steaming and roasting process. The proximate components (starch, protein, lipid and ash) of raw PA-biofortified rice were similar to those found in the parental non-GM rice, and were not significantly affected by a conventional boiling treatment. When compared with raw rice, boiled PA-biofortified rice showed a similar nutrient composition, despite a slight reduction in a majority of its amino acid contents. However, the PA-biofortified rice that underwent the soaking/steaming/roasting process exhibited a significant reduction in a majority of its amino acids and mineral contents. This procedure also led to a significant reduction in carotenoid contents. The overall results of this study demonstrate that using a conventional boiling method for PA-biofortified rice retains nutrients better than a soaking/ steaming/roasting method. © The Korean Society of Food Science and Technology.