Nutritional evaluation of immature grains in two Korean rice cultivars during maturation

Abstract

The amounts of selected nutrient components of Korean rice cv. Chuchungbyeo and cv. Samkwangbyeo were compared depending on their harvest time. Rice grains harvested at the 15th and 25th day after heading (DAH) were considered as immature grains while the one at the 40th DAH was considered as mature grains. The results showed that the contents of protein (7.46–7.92 g/100 g) and reducing sugar (230.85–533.49 mg/100 g) in the immature grains were significantly higher than those in the mature grains. Phosphorus and potassium were the dominant minerals in both of cultivars during maturation. Vitamin C and provitamin A (i.e., β-carotene) were found only in immature rice grains of 2 rice cultivars. And immature rice grains contained higher level of vitamin B2, B3, and B6 compared with mature grains. γ-Tocochromanols content in immature grains was higher than that in mature grains.