Genotypic differences in arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium in milled rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The contents of arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium in milled rice were determined. Among 216 genotypes, the As, Hg, Pb and Cd contents were ranged from 5.06 to 296.45, 2.46 to 65.85, 4.16 to 744.95 and 5.91 to 553.40 ng/g, respectively. Six genotypes with lower contents of toxic metal elements were selected. The averages of As and Pb contents for indica rice were higher than those of japonica rice, while the averages of Hg and Cd contents were in contrast. Compared with white brown rice, the milled rice from black and red brown rice contained lower contents of four elements. Significant negative correlation was found between As content and alkaline spread value. Significant correlations were observed between As and aspartic acid (Asp) content, Hg and Asp or leucine contents, Pb and cysteine or methionine contents. Cd content was significantly negatively correlated with protein and 14 amino acid contents.

Keywords::

• rice
• arsenic
• mercury
• lead
• cadmium
• grain quality

Acknowledgements

The project is supported by the Science and Technology Office of Zhejiang Province (No. 2004C22009 and 0111024712) and 151 Foundation for the Talents of Zhejiang Province. We also thank R.C. Zhang and X.W. Lin for their assist with AFS measurement during the project.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.