Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), remain among the most serious global public health challenges, especially in developing countries where populations depend heavily on a limited number of staple foods (Bouis & Saltzman, 2017; FAO et al., 2020). Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia, affecting nearly 30% of the global population, while zinc deficiency weakens immune function, increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, and contributes to growth retardation in children (WHO, 2020; Prasad, 2013). Addressing these issues requires sustainable, food-based strategies such as the biofortification of staple crops, which offers a long-term solution to hidden hunger.

The substantial genetic diversity present in rice (Oryza spp.) provides valuable opportunities to identify nutrient-dense genotypes for direct consumption or for use in breeding programs aimed at improving nutritional quality. In unpolished brown rice, Fe concentrations typically range from 6.9 to 22.3 mg/kg, whereas Zn concentrations vary between 14.5 and 35.3 mg/kg (Maganti et al., 2020). Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, we analyzed the nutritional profiles of 926 accessions from the minicore collections of Oryza glaberrima and Oryza sativa. We identified 28 dual iron- and zinc-rich accessions (13 O. glaberrima and 15 O. sativa), with Fe concentrations ranging from 23 to 35.5 mg/kg and Zn concentrations from 30 to 37 mg/kg in unpolished grains.

This revised collection differs from the previous dataset by the addition of 10 supplementary accessions, including 2 O. glaberrima and 8 O. sativa. These dual-nutrient-rich accessions represent promising candidates for the development of biofortified rice varieties adapted to African agro-ecological zones and capable of addressing key micronutrient deficiencies.