Quantitative Analysis of Nutrient Minerals in Malagasy Rice Species by EDXRF and Dietary Intake Assessment

Abstract

The elemental analysis of rice samples sold in local market in Antananarivo are carried out at Institut National des Sciences et Techniques Nucleaires-Madagascar (INSTN-Madagascar) using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. The study aims to assess the nutritional and mineral elements contents of rice which is the staple dietary food for Malagasy people. The Malagasy rice is divided into three species according to its color: red, pink and white rice. Essential major elements namely sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and trace elements such as chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and iodine (I) are quantitatively determined. The accuracy of the instrumental method and analytical procedures are checked by using the Reference Material IPE 135 (Rice sample) from the Wageningen Evaluating Programmes for Analytical Laboratory (WEPAL) in Netherland. The experimental values are in good agreement with the certified values because of a coefficient of determination R² of 0.999 and a recovery rate %R between 87% and 114%. The comparison of the elemental content of the studied rice samples with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) reveals that Red rice foods have sufficient capacity to provide adult male consumers with P, Mn, Mg, Fe, Cu and Zn. Certainly insufficient daily intake of Mg (55%), Fe (58%), Cu (89%) and Zn (79%) could be met by ingestion of vegetables and meats that are served as a side dish.