Iron content and availability studies in some Sri Lankan rice varieties

Thirty‐eight rice varieties, grown in Low Country Wet Zone, during Yala (2006) and Maha (2006/2007) seasons were screened for stable high iron rice varieties and were statistically analysed. Iron contents ranged 1.89–3.73 mg 100 g^?1 and varied significantly (P < 0.05) with variety and season. Selected fifteen high iron rice varieties, at degree of polishing 8–10% were analysed for iron, zinc and phytate. High iron contents in endosperm were observed in Suduru Samba (0.47 mg 100 g^?1), Basmati 370 (0.37 mg 100 g^?1), Kalu Heenati (0.42 mg 100 g^?1), Rathu Heenati (0.44 mg 100 g^?1) and Sudu Heenati (0.37 mg 100 g^?1). Phytate contents of polished rice varieties ranged from 200–300 mg 100 g^?1. Large reduction in iron content (84.5–93.6%) was observed in polished rice while the reduction in phytate content (18.9–40.8%) was low. Percentage dialyzability of iron in selected endosperm high iron rice varieties ranged from 1.73 to 8.71. Dialysability of iron in cooked polished rice did not show a relation to the phytate content in raw rice.