Evaluation of indigenous land races of deep-water paddy of North East India for nutraceutical value

Abstract

Deep water paddy is a nature’s marvel for many ethnic communities living in flood prone river basins of some Asian and African countries. In recent times there is resurgence in interest on local land races in view of alarming depletion of agro-biodiversity and the urgency to preserve them. In Assam, the north eastern state of India, deep water paddy is being cultivated since time immemorial by several ethnic communities living in the Brahmaputra river basin. Although not properly enumerated, it is known that more than 70 land races of Bao Dhanexists. Moreover, recent works have revealed that contrary to general perception deep water paddy are rich in nutritional and nutraceutical values with 9% to 13% protein. Further interest on deep water paddy got a boost with the report that land races with red kernel (red rice) are rich in dietary antioxidant anthocyanin and study showed that they have impressive anti-oxidative activity in vitro. Deep water paddy or floating paddy popularly referred to as Bao dhan in Assam, represent a unique crop capable of withstanding diverse stress and man’s ingenuity to co-exist with hostile nature and weather condition. Owing to their antioxidant capacity and the associated health benefits, anthocyanins have gained increased attention in recent years, hence the study was initiated.