Determination of some minerals and β-carotene contents in aromatic indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm

39 aromatic indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars were characterized for Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper and β-carotene contents. The β-carotene contents were ranging from 1.23 to 9.9 μg/g in brown and 0.08 to 1.99 μg/g in milled rice. Among the mineral contents, Magnesium was found ranging from 855 μg/g (Gham) to maximum of 1636 μg/g (Badshahbhog) followed by Iron in 32 μg/g (Jirga) to 218 μg/g (Kalsal), Copper content from 2 μg/g (Girga) to 1004 μg/g (Gham), Zinc content from 25 (Gham) to 165 μg/g (Ambemohar-157) and Calcium ranged from 14 μg/g (Ambemohar pandhara) to 67 μg/g (Kate chinoor). The study showed that the germplasm assessed is a good source of micronutrients and can be further exploited in breeding programme.