Nutritional and Antinutritional Profiles of Four Distinct Varieties of Oryza sativa L.: Maharami, Lal Qilla, Owena, and Igbimo

Abstract

Rice is a staple food consumed worldwide, with nutritional and antinutritional compositions varying across different varieties. This study aimed to assess the morphological, proximate, antinutritive, mineral, and vitamin compositions of four rice varieties: Maharami, Lal Quilla, Owena, and Igbimo. Standard methods were used for proximate, antinutritive, mineral, and vitamin analyses. Morphological analysis revealed varying grain sizes and weights, with Lal Quilla exhibiting the longest grains (7.8 mm) and Maharami having the highest 1000-grain weight (29.85 g). The proximate composition showed carbohydrate content ranging from 76.29% to 78.79%, with Maharami having the highest energy value (1473.89 kJ/100g). Antinutritive analysis revealed saponin and alkaloid contents between 1.42-3.43% and 2.67-12.76%, respectively, with Lal Quilla showing the highest phenol (27.84 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (24.64 mg QE/g). Mineral composition showed significant variations, with Owena having the highest potassium (4.018 mg/100g) and Maharami the highest iron (0.060 mg/100g). Vitamin content was consistent across all samples, with Igbimo having the highest Vitamin B3 (2.618 mg/100g). These findings indicate the nutritional potential of these rice varieties, with Maharami and Lal Quilla being particularly rich in energy and bioactive compounds, respectively, making them promising for dietary applications.