Acta Scientiarum Polonorum Technologia Alimentaria

Background. Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population and a major source of essential minerals. The objective of the present study was to determine metal distribution in common rice types before and after soaking and the physical properties of the rice kernel. Rice consumption was used to calculate estimated daily intake (EDI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) for individuals.
Materials and methods. Seven different types of rice from northern Iraq were randomly selected from several markets in the city of Kalar, and their physical and chemical characteristics were studied. The study evaluated possible health concerns associated with rice consumption. Finding out the impact of soaking on the minerals present in the rice was another goal of this investigation. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy was used to prepare and examine the samples for possible elements of interest.
Results. Mahmud’s rice had the longest grain length, while Kurdish rice had the shortest. All the varieties tested had long and slender grains except for Saman and Kurdish rice. The ash and moisture content of the varieties ranged from 0.29 to 0.39% and 3.09% to 5.9, respectively. The zinc content of the varieties ranged from 23.6 to 15.6 mg/kg, with the highest values found in Gulbahar rice and lowest in Saman rice. The iron content and manganese content of the varieties ranged from 8.1 mg/kg to 14.3 mg/kg and 3.5 to 13.2 mg/kg, respectively. Soaking for one hour reduced the mineral content, with potassium content reduced by 40% in Saman rice and 50% in Gulbahar rice and aluminum content reduced by 40% in Kurdish rice. The water uptake ratios for Russia rice were between 1.39 and 1.6 for 35°C, 1.38 and 1.71 for 50°C, and 1.42 and 1.72 for 60°C, respectively. The EDI values indicate that all minerals in the rice samples were below WHO/FAO limits, and the HI and THQ values did not exceed unity.
Conclusion. It is clear that rice is a primary source of necessary minerals; however, a balanced, varied diet should be adopted to fulfil the human body’s nutritional needs. The risk assessment of potentially excessive ingestion of certain elements through rice consumption suggests that the concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Mg in some rice samples exceeded the reference oral dose for adults and children.