Trace elements analysis in rice

Various rice species, marketed in Austria, were analyzed for their Se, Cr, Ni, Rb, Fe, Co, Cs, Ag and Hg contents by neutron activation analysis. The concentration values found for Se ranged between 0.023 and 0.265 ppm, for Cr 0.540–1.875 ppm, for Ni 0.359–0.965 ppm, for Rb 1.604–6.400 ppm, for Fe 24.3–139.8 ppm, for Co 0.026–0.055 ppm, for Cs 0.016–0.032 ppm, for Ag 0.0006–0.0034 ppm, for Hg 0.003–0.023 ppm. Statistical analysis showed in the majority of cases that there is a significant difference in Se, Cr, Ni, Rb, Fe, Co, Hg contents but not in Cs. Highest values of Se and Fe were found in rice from Belgium /long seed, super patna/, whereas the Cr concentration was the highest in rice from Thailand /siam patna/. Ni was highest in rice from Uncle Ben's, Rb in Kresto from USA.