Variation in minerals among rice varieties

Six varieties of rice viz. Improved Pusa Basmati-I, Taraori Basmati (HBC 19) and CSR 30 of basmati; HKR 47, HKR 127 and IRBB 60 of coarse rice were analyzed for total minerals and their HCl extractabilities. The varieties differed significantly in total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc contents and their values ranged from 14.85 to 16.65, 165.44 to 174.08, 46.91 to 52.24, 2.17 to 2.57 and 1.30 to 1.59 mg/100 g, respectively. The respective values for HCl extractability of minerals varied from 37.02 to 41.23, 49.28 to 56.6, 57.75 to 61.10, 53.81 to 62.93 and 23.45 to 26.46 per cent in different rice varieties. Improved Pusa Basmati-I and Taroari Basmati were significantly superior in iron and zinc contents along with their HCl extractability than other varieties.