Identification of Iron- and Zinc-Rich rice accessions for nutritional improvement

Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), remain among the most serious global public health concerns, especially in developing countries where populations rely 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 compromises immune function, increases susceptibility to infectious diseases, and contributes to stunted growth in children (WHO, 2020; Prasad, 2013). To address these challenges, sustainable food-based strategies such as the biofortification of staple crops are increasingly prioritized as long-term solutions to combat hidden hunger. The considerable genetic diversity present in rice (Oryza spp.) provides valuable opportunities to identify nutrient-dense genotypes for direct consumption or use in breeding programs targeting improved nutritional quality. In unpolished brown rice, Fe concentrations typically range from 6.9 to 22.3 mg/kg, while 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 700 accessions from the minicore collections of Oryza glaberrima and Oryza sativa. Our results identified 18 iron- and zinc-rich accessions (11 O. glaberrima and 7 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. These dual-nutrient-rich accessions represent promising candidates for the development of biofortified rice varieties adapted to African agro-ecological zones and addressing key nutritional deficiencies.

Type of subset
Selective
Method of selection
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy
Crop
rice
Number of accessions
18
FAO WIEWS Institute
Creation date
July 29 2025
Published in Genesys
4 days ago
Subset metadata

Subset creators


Data manager
Clinton Obinna Ogwuike Africa Rice Center
Data collector
Arnaud Gouda Africa Rice Center
Data collector
Arnaud Gouda Africa Rice Center
Data curator
Marie-Noelle Ndjiondjop Africa Rice Center

Data and resources


MCPD passport data

MCPD - fd4a057a-3ac6-408e-9d4b-3eeeb3c790ea.xlsx

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Accessions

List of accessions included in the subset

2. WAB0008294Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica S.Kato • TOS 1304 • Traditional cultivar/Landrace • NGA
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/HBYNK
3. WAB0008756Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica S.Kato • TOS 5798 • Traditional cultivar/Landrace • LBR
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/HQCG$
4. WAB0009004Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica S.Kato • TOS 6847 • Traditional cultivar/Landrace • ZWE
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/HC7RE
5. WAB0010715Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica S.Kato • TOS 9800 • Traditional cultivar/Landrace • NGA
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/HD5XH
6. WAB0014150Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica S.Kato • TOS 15532 • Traditional cultivar/Landrace • BFA
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/HE9MD
7. WAB0025389Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica S.Kato • TOS 16235 • Traditional cultivar/Landrace • BFA
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/HJ93P
8. WAB0040544Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 7435 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KGSCH
9. WAB0040551Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 5837 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KGSKR
10. WAB0040585Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 7642 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KGTNN
11. WAB0040636Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 7170 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KGW8=
12. WAB0040645Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 7143 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KGWH7
13. WAB0040689Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 5284 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KGXXE
14. WAB0040764Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 10447 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KH08F
15. WAB0040795Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 6827-A • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KH179
16. WAB0040798Oryza glaberrima Steud. • IRAT 2672 • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KH1AC
17. WAB0040816Oryza glaberrima Steud. • CG 35-B • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KH1WY
18. WAB0040817Oryza glaberrima Steud. • TOG 14348-A • Other genetic stocks • BEN
CIV033 • DOI: 10.18730/1KH1XZ