The concentration and distribution of essential elements in brown rice grains (Oryza sativa L. var. japonica) associated with the polishing rate was determined. Rice samples were collected in Japan and polished to 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% loss of the total weight of brown rice. Concentrations of eight essential elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and distributions of the elements in a single grain were visualized as elemental distribution maps of a cross section by micro particle induced X-ray emission (Micro-PIXE) analysis. Results of ICP-AES analysis indicated that in rice which polished from 0% to 10% loss of weight, there were three patterns in the P/B ratio, which is the mean concentration of an element in polished rice divided by that of the element in the brown rice: no change (Cu and Zn), a gradual decrease (P, Mg, Mn and Fe), and a decrease after a constant phase (Ca and K). There was no remarkable change of the P/B ratio in rice grains which polished from 10% to 20% loss of weight. Micro-PIXE analysis images showed that P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn were present in large amounts in the surface layer (approx. <200 mu m thickness) of brown rice. Two sub-layers were mainly recognized in the grain surface layer in the elemental distribution maps of a cross section. The first sub-layer was approximately 130-170 mu m, thick. The second sub-layer was approximately 20-50 mu m thick, and the primary part of the grain (endosperm cells and starch granules) was under it. The images showed Cu and Zn were uniformity distributed in brown rice, and their concentrations of polished rice were not affected by the polishing rate. Although ICP-AES measurements could not provide the detail structure of the surface layer of the rice grains, the trend of concentration of the elements generally agreed with the elemental distribution maps obtained Micro-PIXE analysis. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
