ISSN: 2577-4360
Authors: Nwachoko N*, Tetam JG, Orakpo E and Egbunefu CO
Rice is a cereal crop grown in Nigeria and predominantly in the Northern part of the Country. It is consumed almost in every household. This research work focused on proximate composition, minerals and heavy metals concentration in some local and foreign rice consumed in Nigeria. Eight different products of rice were collected for this study, two of them were foreign products while the other six are locally harvested in Nigeria. The products are Kebbi, Thiland, India, Jigawa, Kano, Abuja, Ebonyi and Nasarawa rice. The products were labeled A-H respectively. Standard methods were used for the analysis of the different parameters. The result of proximate composition showed that India rice had the highest moisture content (10.06%) while Jigawa rice had the least (8.22%). Ash content of Jigawa rice (0.89%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared with other samples. Also crude protein content of Kebbi rice (7.94%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher when compared with other samples. Result for heavy metal analysis showed that arsenic and lead values were higher in Kebbi rice while Nasarrawa rice had the least values for both metals. The concentration for Cd and Hg showed no significant difference in all the samples. Potassium content was highest when compare with the concentration of other minerals analyzed. Mg and Na values showed no significant difference in all the samples. Ca value for sample F was significantly difference when compared with the values for other samples. Except for sample A which had higher As and Pb concentrations, this study showed that these local rice collected for this study are nutritional good and comparable to the foreign rice, their consumption should be encourage in our household.
Keywords: Rice; Proximate Composition; Heavy Metal and Mineral Content
