Available online at www.biotechsocietynigeria.org. Physical and Chemical Properties of Some Selected Rice Varieties

Physical and chemical properties of nine rice varieties grown and processed in Ebonyi State were studied. Average length and width of the tested varieties ranged between 6.31 and 7.63mm and 2.04 to 2.28mm respectively. All the grains are long grain but, Afikpo mars had the longest grain length of 7.63mm while kpurukpuru had the least grain length of 6.31mm. The length/width ratio for Afikpo mars 3.74 was the highest, and IR8 Izzi 2.87 was the lowest.The nine rice varieties tested had translucent grain except Awilo Ikwo, Faro 15 Izzi and Kpurukpuru Afikpo which had opaque grains. The appearance of Awilo Ikwo, Mars Izzi and Afikpo mars were very good, IR8 Ngbo rice was fair. Size and shape of all the varieties tested were long slender except IR8 Izzi rice and IR8 Ngbo. Ash, Moisture and Fat content of the varieties ranged from 0.80 to 2.40%, 2.02 to 2.23 % and 7.6 to 12.2 % respectively. Protein content of the varieties ranged from 7.86 to 9.48%. The highest and lowest found in kpurukpuru Afikpo and Mars Afikpo rice respectively. All the varieties tested had protein content of more than the recommended standard (7%) of protein. Vitamin B content; thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2) and Niacin (B3) contents ranged from 0.17 to 0.24mg, 0.23 to 0.29mg and 1.60 to 1.81mg respectively. Zinc content of the tested varieties ranged from 6.48 to 9.81mg/100g with the highest (9.81mg/100g) found in Awilo Ikwo rice and Kpurukpuru Afikpo rice respectively. Iron and calcium contents of the varieties range from 0.94 to 1.21mg/100g and 1.00 to 1.75mg/100g with IR8 Ngbo rice having the highest values