Density alteration of nutrient elements in rice grains of a low phytate mutant

The amount and distribution of major nutritionally relevant elements was determined in the grains of a low phytate rice (Oryza sativa L.) mutant line (HIPi1) and its parent variety Xieqingzao (XQZ). The concentration of phytate P (PA-P) was significantly reduced in HIPi1 grains. On brown rice basis, HIPi1 had a content of PA-P about 58.4% that of XQZ, while total P levels were not significantly different between the mutant and its parent. Significant location effects were observed on the amount of the major elements, i.e., Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, in various parts of grains of both HIPi1 and XQZ. In milled rice, larger amounts of these elements were found, consistently and significantly across all three locations, in HIPi1 than XQZ, at rates on average of 32.6%, 31.2%, 44.8%, 52% and 71.3%, respectively. The results showed that the low phytate mutation could not only potentially increase the bioavailability but also the amount of most important micronutrient elements, i.e., Fe, Zn and Ca, in the edible part of rice grains, and thus provide an important added-value to this mutation.