Development of Mineral Profiles Including Heavy Metals of Selected, Widely Consuming Rice Varieties (Oryza Sativa L.) In Sri Lanka

Rice is the staple food of most Asian countries with fulfilling the daily nutritional requirements of humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the levels of concentration of 23 macro and micro elements in 30 selected rice varieties in Sri Lanka for development of minerals profiles including heavy metals. In general, the mean concentration pattern of elements in rice samples was decreased as, P >K >Mg >Ca >Zn >Mn>Fe>Na >B>Al >Cu >Ba >Mo >Cr >Co>Ni>Hg>As. The mean concentration of Sb, Be, Se, Cd, and Pb in rice were lower than the limit of quantification which was 0.05 mg/kg for each element. Mean concentration of Hg in Suduheenati was same as the maximum permissible limit given by WHO/FAO guideline. Moreover, the results of the present study revealed traditional and pigmented rice varieties in Sri Lanka to be a potential source of valuable minerals together with balanced level of other nutrients than branded and non-pigmented rice varieties (p<0.05).