







































 
 
 

Agriculture and Food Sciences Research 
Vol. 4, No. 1, 1-7, 2017 

ISSN(E) 2411-6653 / ISSN(P) 2518-0193 
DOI: 10.20448/journal.512.2017.41.1.7 

 
 
 
 
 

 

1 
 

Comparative Studies on Proximate and Some Mineral Composition of Selected 
Local Rice Varieties and Imported Rice Brands in Ghana 

 
Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu1

     

Cleopatra Amamoo2    

 
( Corresponding Author) 

 
 
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, 
Ghana 
2Bayport Savings and Loans PLC, 71 Osu Badu Street, Airport  West, Dzorwulu, Accra, Ghana 

 
Abstract 

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine and compare the proximate and mineral 
(Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg, Se) composition of locally produced polished and unpolished rice and two 
imported rice brands. Design/methodology/approach: The proximate and mineral (Fe, Zn, Mn, 
Mg, Se) composition of five local rice varieties (Maawuwoe coop brown rice, Maawuwoe coop white 
rice, Shigafa brown rice, Shigafa white rice and long grain parboiled rice) and two imported 
brands of rice (Imported 1 and 2) were evaluated using standard methods after which they were 
compared to establish which had the higher percentage of nutrients. Findings: The percentage 
protein of the imported rice brands (7.0-8.4%) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the 
local rice varieties (5.69–6.89%). The local varieties had comparable carbohydrate (74.20-79.41%) 
but significantly higher fat (1.1-2.57%) and fibre (0.64-1.95%) contents than the imported brands 
(76.94-78.21% carbohydrate, 0.49-0.88% fat and 0.5% fibre). Maawuwoe coop brown rice had 
significantly higher Fe and Zn contents of 96 mg/100g and 2.9 mg/100g respectively and Shigafa 
brown rice recorded the highest Mn content of 1.81 mg/100g. Imported brand 1 however had the 
highest Mg content (96 mg/100g). For the local varieties, the brown had higher fibre contents 
(1.95-1.65%) than that observed in the white. Originality/value: This study is meant to provide 
knowledge on the nutritional quality of local rice to inform consumer and subsequently enhanced 
patronage in Ghana. 

 
Keywords: Local brown rice, Local white rice, Long grain, Nutrients, Quality. 

 
Citation | Faustina Dufie Wireko-Manu; Cleopatra Amamoo 
(2017). Comparative Studies on Proximate and Some Mineral 
Composition of Selected Local Rice Varieties and Imported Rice 
Brands in Ghana. Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 4(1): 1-7. 
History:  
Received: 2 August 2016 
Revised: 16 March 2017 
Accepted: 13 April 2017 
Published: 5 May 2017 
Licensed: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons 

Attribution 3.0 License  
Publisher: Asian Online Journal Publishing Group 
 

Contribution/Acknowledgement: Both authors contributed to the 
conception and design of the study. 
Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of 
interests. 
Transparency: The authors confirm that the manuscript is an honest, 
accurate, and transparent account of the study was reported; that no vital 
features of the study have been omitted; and that any discrepancies from the 
study as planned have been explained. 
Ethical: This study follows all ethical practices during writing.   

 

 

Contents 
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 
2. Materials and Methods ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 
3. Results and Discussion ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4 
4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 
References ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 
 

 

 

 

 

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Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2017, 4(1): 1-7 

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1. Introduction 
Rice is currently the second most important food staple after maize in Ghana and its consumption keeps 

increasing as a result of population growth, urbanization and change in consumer habits  [1]. From 2000 to 2003 
the estimated consumption levels recorded commercial rice imports of approximately 61%, food aid accounted for 
2%, and domestic rice production accounted for approximately 37% [2]. 

Despite the increase in production, the level of consumer demand far exceeds the supply. This has resulted in 
the continuous increase in the importation of the rice into the economy which is registered the highest demand 
deficit of 215,000 metric tonnes among selected crops in Ghana [3]. In the same year, computations by the Ghana 
statistical service indicated a custom value of imported rice of GH¢ 108,523,136 compared to a significantly low 
amount of GH¢ 1,186 of exported rice in Ghana. 

Rice is an important food for urban dwellers and is taking over from traditional staples, mainly root crop. Rice 
costs are rising, according to the MOFA, and imported rice is particularly expensive. In January 2012 an 84-kg bag 
of locally produced paddy rice cost GHS66.20 ($34.10), but by December it had jumped by 24% to reach GHS81.86 
($44.60). This is still low compared to import prices, which rose from GHS97.60 ($50.10) for a 50-kg bag in 
January 2012, to GHS117.85 ($60.60) in December 2012, a 21% increase. Comparing the costs, local rice prices sat 
at GHS0.97 ($0.49) per kg in December 2012, compared to GHS2.36 ($1.20) per kg for imported rice. According to 
the ministry, rice imports cost the country an estimated $450m annually [4]. 

Many urban consumers are said to prefer imported rice to local rice even though it is more expensive because it 
looks cleaner, more polished and more prestigious to eat and to offer to visitors. Usually quality and price of the 
commodity is of utmost importance when purchased. The difference in consumer preference has been attributed to 
several factors including poor post harvest handling, non-availability, and a general perception of poor quality 
physical characteristics, presence of foreign matter, nutritional quality and cooking behaviours [5].  

Consumers who lived in urban area and had high standard of living, high income and education, tend to 
purchase rice of high quality based on their nutritional content [6]. Consumers in Ghana prefer to purchase 
imported rice brand rather than the local ones [7]. However local rice is said to taste better. The need to make 
local rice more competitive is recognized; particularly in light of nutritional composition. 

Different studies have shown that the local rice varieties (Emo kokoo, Mr. More, Mui, Abodwese, Long grain, 
Beta, Tema, Amavi, Emo fitaa, Abibifoo mo) exhibit nutritional superiority especially in minerals such as potassium, 
calcium and protein contents [5]. Even though Ghanaians are aware of the locally produced rice in Ghana, most 
consumers are more familiar with imported rice [8]. Lack of knowledge on the nutritional quality of local rice, and 
the misconception that imported foods and drinks are of better quality among others might have contributed to low 
patronage of local rice. The situation has created low profitability.  The local rice farmers are not earning enough 
resulting in high loss rate and unemployment in the sector [5].  

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the proximate and mineral (Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg, Se) 
composition of locally produced white and brown rice and two imported rice brands. 
 

2. Materials and Methods 
2.1. Material Source 

Five local rice varieties namely Maawuwoe coop brown rice (MCBR), Maawuwoe coop white rice (MCWR), 
Shigafa brown rice (SBR), Shigafa white rice (SWR) and long grain parboiled rice (LGPR)  as well as two imported 
brands of rice (IB 1 and IB 2) were used for the study. The local varieties were purchased from Central market in 
Kumasi with the exception of Maawuwoe coop brown and white rice which were obtained from the CSIR-Crop 
Research Institute, Fumesua, Kumasi, Ghana. The two imported rice brands were obtained from a retail outlet in 
Kumasi based on their high consumer patronage, as revealed by a preliminary consumer survey of local and 
imported aromatic rice varieties sold on the market [5]. Table 1 shows the list and the sources of the selected rice 
varieties. 
 

Table-1. List of selected rice varieties and their country of origin 

Grouping Name of  rice Origin of  rice 

Imported rice 
Imported brand 1 Thailand 

Imported brand 2 Thailand  

Local varieties 

Maawuwoe coop brown rice Ghana 

Maawuwoe coop white rice  Ghana 

Shigafa brown rice Ghana 

Shigafa white rice Ghana 

long grain parboiled rice Ghana 
                             Source: These are rice samples collected by authors of this study from market and CSIR-Crops Research Institute in Ghana 

 

2.2. Sample Preparation 
The rice samples were ground with a blender into fine powder and stored in labelled polythene bags under 

room temperature until required for analysis. 
 

2.3. Chemical Analysis 
2.3.1. Proximate Analysis 

The methods for analyses were the standard procedures of AOAC [9]. All proximate components were 
analyzed in duplicate and reported as mean on % dry weight basis. 
 
 
 
 



Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2017, 4(1): 1-7 

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2.3.1.1. Determination of % Moisture Content  
Two grams of each sample was weighed in a crucible and dried to constant weight at 105 °C for 6 hours in a 

drying oven. Crucible plus sample was cooled in a desiccator and re-weighed. The moisture content was calculated 
as percentage moisture lost. 
 

2.3.1.2. Determination of % Crude Lipid and Crude Fibre Content 
Two grams of the rice samples were weighed in a porous thimble of a Soxhlet apparatus. The thimble was 

placed in an extraction chamber, which was suspended above a pre weighed receiving flask containing petroleum 
ether. The flask was heated on a heating mantle for 8 hr to extract the crude lipid. After the extraction, the thimble 
was removed from the Soxhlet apparatus and the solvent distilled off. The flask containing the crude lipid was 
heated in the oven at 100 ºC for 30 min to evaporate the solvent, then cooled in a desiccator, and reweighed. The 
difference in weight was expressed as percentage crude lipid content.  

Crude fibre was estimated by acid-base digestion with 1.25% H2SO4 (prepared by diluting 7.2 ml of 94% conc. 
acid of specific gravity 1.835 g/ml per 1000 ml distilled water) and 1.25% NaOH (12.5 g per 1000 ml distilled 
water) solutions. The residue after crude lipid extraction was put into a 600 ml beaker and 200 ml of boiling 1.25% 
sulphuric acid added. The contents were boiled for 30 minutes, cooled, filtered through a filter paper and the 
residue was washed with boiling water until washings were no longer acidic. The washed residue was returned to 
the digestion flask and further digested by boiling in 200 ml of 1.25% sodium hydroxide for 30 minutes. The digest 
was filtered through a porous crucible to obtain the residue. This was washed with boiling water and finally with 
15 ml of 95% ethanol. The washed residue was dried in an oven at 110 ºC to constant weight and cooled in a 
dessicator. The residue was scraped into a pre–weighed porcelain crucible, weighed, ashed at 550 ºC for 30 minutes, 
cooled in a dessicator and reweighed. Crude fibre content was expressed as percentage loss in weight on ignition. 
 

2.3.1.3. Determination of % Nitrogen Content and Estimation of Crude Protein 
2.3.1.3.1. Digestion  

Two grams of each air dried sample was weighed into 500 ml long-necked kjeldahl flask and 10 ml distilled 
water was added to moisten the sample. One spatula full of kjeldahl catalyst (mixture of 1 part selenium + 10 parts 
CUSO4 + 100 parts Na2SO4) was added followed by 20 ml conc. H2SO4. The solution was digested until clear and 
colourless. The flask was allowed to cool; the fluid decanted into a 100 ml volumetric flask and made up to the 
mark with distilled water. 
 

2.3.1.3.2. Distillation  
An aliquot of 10 ml fluid from the digested sample by means of a pipette was transferred into kjeldahl 

distillation flask. Ninety (90) ml of distilled water was added to make it up to 100 ml in the distillation flask. 
Twenty (20) ml of 40 % sodium hydroxide was added to the content of the distillation flask. Distillate was collected 
over 10 ml of 4 % boric acid and 3 drops of methyl red in a 200 ml conical flask. The presence of nitrogen gave a 
light blue colour. 

 
2.3.1.3.3. Titration  

The collected distillate (about 100 ml) was titrated with 0.1 N HCL till the blue colour changed to grey and 
then suddenly flashed to pink. A blank determination was carried out without a sample. Crude protein was 
estimated by multiplying the value obtained for percentage nitrogen content by a factor of 6.25. 

 
2.3.1.4. % Ash Determination 

Ash crucibles were preheated in an oven, cooled in a desiccator and weighed. Two grams of each sample was 
weighed into the crucibles and then placed in a muffle furnace at 600 °C for 4 hours. Crucibles plus ashed samples 
were cooled in a desiccator and weighed.  

 
2.3.1.5. % Carbohydrate Determination 

Carbohydrate was determined as the difference between 100 and the sum of the percentages of water, protein, 
total lipid (fat), and ash. 

 
2.3.2. Mineral Analysis 

Samples were ashed in a porcelain crucible at 550 ºC in a muffle furnace for four hours, removed from the 
furnace and cooled. The ash was moistened with 2 ml of distilled water and slowly and carefully the ash was 
dissolved in 5 ml of 8 N HCl. The crucible was covered and placed on steam water bath for 20 minutes, cooled and 
transferred into 100 ml volumetric flask by filtering using Whatman No. 42 filter paper catching the filtrate in the 
100 ml volumetric flask and made up to standard volume. The crucible was washed well with water, the washing 
going through the filter. The filter paper was washed several times with distilled water and made up to the 100 ml 
mark and shaken vigorously to assure complete mixing. Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, and manganese were 
analysed by ICP-AAS (induced coupled plasma – atomic absorption spectrometry). All determinations were carried 
out in duplicate and reported as mean mineral content in mg/100g dry matter (DM).  Concentrations for each 
element were determined from previously calibrated standard curves.  

 
2.4. Statistical Analysis  

Data were reported as mean ± standard deviation for at least duplicate analyses of the same extract. ANOVA 
was used to analyse the means ofZ samples and the least significant difference was used to further determine 
exactly where the differences occurred, at 5% significance level. 
 



Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2017, 4(1): 1-7 

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3. Results and Discussion 
3.1. Proximate Composition 

Results of proximate composition for the local and imported rice types are shown in Table 2. Moisture content 
(11.46-15.17%) of the varieties (both local and imported) were significantly different (p<0.05). These values closely 
correspond to the results of 11.65% to 13.43% reported by Eshun [10] and 12% reported by Abbey, et al. [11]. 

Maawuwoe coop brown rice (MCBR) had higher moisture content of 15.17% which may be attributed to its drying 

temperature used [12]. The relatively higher moisture content of MCBR may have effect on its storage. Long 
grain parboiled rice (LGPR) and Shigafa white rice (SWR) had the least percentage moisture of 12.07% and 11.46% 
respectively which may be due to the parboiling process [12] and may have the potential to store relatively longer. 
The significant difference observed in the moisture content of the rice varieties may be attributed to temperature 
and duration of drying as well as difference in storage conditions at source.   

The crude fat values obtained ranged between 0.49 - 2.57% with the imported brands having lower values 
compared to local ones even though the values are well in line with the range of 0.4 to 0.8% reported by Laureys 
[13]. The variety MCWR had the highest fat content of 2.57% with Import Brand 1 (IB 1) recording the lowest fat 
content of 0.49% respectively (Table 2). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the crude 
fat values for the rice varieties. Rice bran, being an excellent fat source, which is lost during milling contributes to 
the low fat content in the well-polished imported rice brands. Thus the observed difference may be attributed to the 
degree of milling. Milling and polishing of rice removes the outer layer of the grain where most of the fats are 
concentrated [14]. 

The values obtained for percentage ash content in this study ranged between 0.5 - 1.5%. Maawuwoe coop white 
rice had the highest ash content of 1.50% followed by LGPR which had 1% while the other rice varieties had the 
least ash contents of 0.5%. Values obtained in this study corresponds closely with the values obtained by Ebuehi 
and Oyewole [15] who reported ash values of 0.53% and 0.80% for raw ‘aroso’ and ‘ofada’ rice varieties respectively 
in Nigeria. Kwarteng, et al. [6] also reported 0.48% to 0.6%. The ash content of a food sample gives an idea of the 
mineral elements present in the food sample [16]. Minerals are more concentrated in the bran and thus get lost 
during milling and polishing when the bran is removed from the grain [17]. The ash content of 0.5% observed in 
the other varieties may be due to the degree of milling/polishing which is influenced by variety. As stated earlier, 
rice bran contains much more minerals than the actual endosperm and the tendency of rice bran to stick to the 
grains during milling and polishing (which is a varietal trait) influences ash content [6]. 

 
Table-2. Proximate composition of  some local and imported rice types in Ghana 

Type Sample Moisture (%) Ash (%) Fat (%) Protein (%) Fiber (%) Carbohydrate 
(%)    

Local MCBR 15.17±0.26bfhj 0.5±0.00 1.85±0.20bdfg 5.69±0.00b 1.65±0.21bd 75.14±0.06a 
MCWR 14.19±0.05bfgj  1.5±0.04 2.57±0.18bdfh 6.79±1.55b 0.75±0.07b 74.2±2.70adfh 

LGPR 12.07±0.26adehi 1.0±0.007 1.1±0.17ae 6.89±0.16b 0.64±0.05a 78.30±0.58ag 

SBR 13.83±0.05bcfg 0.5±0.00 1.35±0.17bde 6.45±0.16b 1.95±0.07bd 75.92±0.04ae 

SWR 11.46±0.028ad 0.5±0.00 1.46±0.00bde 6.45±0.16b 0.72±0.07bc 79.41±0.26bc 

Imported 
brand 

IB 1 12.78±0.65a 0.5±0.00 0.88±0.18a 8.4±0.44a 0.50±0.00a 76.94±0.38a 

IB 2 13.30±0.18ac 0.5±0.00 0.49±0.002bc 7.0±0.00a 0.50±0.00a 78.21±0.18ac 
Note: Values are means ± standard deviations of duplicate determinations. Values in the same column having the same superscript letters are not 
significantly different at 5% significant level. 

 
Key:  Sample        Sample code   

Maawuwoe coop brown rice  MCBR 
Maawuwoe coop white rice  MCWR 
long grain parboiled rice    LGPR 
Shigafa brown rice SBR   SBR 
Shigafa white rice SWR   SWR 
Imported Brand 1     IB 1 
Imported Brand 2     IB 2 

 

Carbohydrate values in the varieties ranged from 74.20% for MCWR to 79.41% in SWR. Virtually all the rice 
varieties have appreciably high carbohydrate content (Table 2). The variation in values for carbohydrate among the 
varieties was statistically significant (p<0.05). These values also correspond closely to that reported by Abbey, et 
al. [11] and Laureys [13]. Ebuehi and Oyewole [15] had 78.3% and 81.1% for raw ‘ofada’ and ‘aroso’ rice varieties 
respectively. The observed high carbohydrate content of both local and imported rice varieties affirm that rice is a 
carbohydrate food source. Generally, the local varieties had significantly higher crude fibre than the imported 
brands.  

The range of values for crude fibre observed in this study was between 0.5 - 1.95% for the two imported rice 
types and Shigafa brown rice respectively. These values agree with crude fibre values of other varieties which range 
from 0.59% for IDSA 85 to 0.89% for Jasmine 85 and 0.86% for Sikamo and 0.87% for Nerica-2 [10]. Statistical 
analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the crude fibre values for the rice varieties. Maawuwoe coop 
brown rice does not have any of its parts, including the germ, the bran, and the endosperm, removed (has not been 
refined) hence its high fibre content of 1.95%. The high crude fibre content in Shigafa brown rice may also be due 
to the fact that is a whole grain which contains all three components: bran, germ, and endosperm [18]. Milling of 
rice during the production of polished rice generally decreases the fibre contents, hence the relatively low fibre in 
the imported brands [19]. The bran is particularly rich in dietary fibre and contains significant quantities of starch 
[20] which also contributes to the carbohydrate content of brown rice. The observed difference may be due to the 
fact that the imported rice brands are more polished than the local varieties. Percentage carbohydrate could also be 
influenced by other environmental factors under which rice is grown (soil type, crop management practices, 
rainfall, solar radiation, and growth temperature) [19].  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_fiber
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starch


Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2017, 4(1): 1-7 

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The protein contents of the rice varieties ranged from 5.64% - 8.40% (Table 2). The findings of this study 
showed that the imported rice brands had higher protein contents of 7% and 8.4% respectively. These values 
compare closely to those reported by Abbey, et al. [11] and Laureys [13] as 7.0% for polished rice. Maawuwoe coop 
brown rice had the least protein value of 5.64% but was even higher than what was reported earlier by Kwarteng, 
et al. [6] a range of 5.10-5.30%.  

The variations observed may be due to varietal and environmental influences. [21, 22] reported that deposition 
of protein in rice grains depends on plethora of interrelated metabolic pathways involved in uptake of N, Fe and Zn 
from soil, their transport to source tissues such as culms and leaves and mobilization and/or remobilization to 
developing grains. Each of these processes is governed by several genes and influenced by environmental factors 
such as soil type, drought, fertilizers application, genotype, environment interaction [23, 24]. 

The significant difference in percentage of crude protein between the imported varieties and the local varieties 
may be as a result of genotype and environmental differences [25]. Most of the protein is found in the endosperm 
layer with additional protein found in the bran layer which constitutes about 7-9% of the whole grain. These 
contributes to the percentage of crude protein in the local varieties [26].  
 

3.2. Mineral Composition 
The results of the mineral (iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese and selenium) analysis of the local and imported 

rice types are shown in Table 3. The values of iron obtained agree to those reported by Ebuehi and Oyewole [15] 
and Diako, et al. [5]. The SBR recorded the highest iron content of 96 mg/100 g and IB 1 had the lowest iron 
content of 11.1 mg/100 g. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in iron contents among the local rice 
varieties and between the local and imported varieties.  

This may be due to the fact that the brown variety is a whole grain which has its bran particularly rich in 
dietary minerals such as iron. The difference in iron content among the rice varieties may also be influenced by 
nitrogen application and soil quality [27]. 

The magnesium values obtained in the rice varieties ranged from 66.7 mg/100 g in SBR to 96 mg/100 g in IB 
2 with a significant difference (p < 0.05). The values of magnesium obtained for the rice varieties correspond with 

the 67.0 mg/100 g and 82.0 mg/100 g respectively for raw ΄ofada΄ and raw ΄aroso΄ rice varieties reported by 
Ebuehi and Oyewole [15]. The local intra varietal differences could be due to genetic factors or the mineral 
content of the soil on which they were grown [17]. In general, the more rice bran is removed from the grain 
during polishing, the more vitamins and minerals are lost [19]. 

The manganese values obtained from the study ranged from 1.81 mg/100 g in SBR to 1.09 mg/100 g in IB 1. 
The values of manganese obtained for the rice varieties are similar to those reported by Tinsley and Emeritus 
[28]. Imported Brand 1 (IB 1) recorded the lowest manganese content which may be due to the fact that minerals 
are highest in the bran which is lost during processing [27]. The difference in the manganese contents among the 
rice varieties might be as a result of fertilizer application, rate of parboiling and the amounts of soil nutrients all of 
which affect the mineral contents of rice.   

The zinc values obtained in Table 3 ranged from 1.05 mg/100 g in LGPR to 2.9 mg/100 g in MCBR.  These 
values agreed with earlier findings by Trinidad, et al. [29] who found a range of 1.40 to 1.79 mg/100 g and 1.97 
mg/100g reported by Tinsley and Emeritus [28]. The bran and the germ in brown rice contain many vitamins 
and minerals contributing to MCBR having the highest zinc content. The zinc content in the parboiled rice may be 
due to prior cooking which preserves some of the nutrient content, as micronutrients are transferred from the 
aleurone and germ into the starchy endosperm [30].  

Selenium contents were <0.1 mg/100 g for all the rice varieties which did not agree with the 0.15 mg/100 g 
reported by Tinsley and Emeritus [28] Soils are frequently low in available Se [31, 32]. Se availability in soils 
depends upon soil pH, redox potential, calcium carbonate level, cation exchange capacity, and organic carbon, iron 
(Fe) and aluminium (Al) levels [33]. The low selenium contents in both the local and imported varieties may be 
due to the effect of non-application of selenium enriched fertilizer on the soil where the rice varieties were 
cultivated. Selenium content and assimilation of rice could be promoted by selenium foliar application on rice.  
 

Table-3. Mean mineral composition of some local and imported rice types in Ghana 

Type                                                                             Minerals (mg/100g) 
Sample Iron  Zinc  Magnesium  Manganese  Selenium  

Local MCBR 96±0.03bdfg 2.9±0.14bdfh 62.4±1.40 bdfhjk 1.16±0.01 bdfhjk <0.10 

MCWR 48±0.01bdfh 1.94±0.01a 76.0±0.00 bdfhjl  1.59±0.01 bdfhjl <0.10 

LGPR 73±0.01bdf 1.05±0.007bdfg 72.0±1.40 bdfhi 1.67±0.01 bdfhi <0.10 

SBR 20.7±0.01bde 1.72±0.03bde 66.72±0.00 bdfg 1.81±0.03 bdfg <0.10 

SWR 11.47±0.42be 1.3±0.00bc 48.0±1.40 bde 1.29±0.00 bde <0.10 

Imported 
brand 

IB 1 89.0±0.00a 1.91±0.00a 96.0±1.40 a 1.09±0.00 a <0.10 

IB 2 11.1±0.04bc 1.92±0.03a 79.0±2.80 bc 1.47±0.03 bc <0.10 

Note: Values are means ± standard deviations of  duplicate determinations. Means with the same alphabet as superscript within columns are not 
significantly different at 5% significant level 

 
In general, the levels of minerals from some of the varieties like Shigafa brown rice and Maawuwoe white rice 

varieties are high in comparison to the other local varieties and imported brands. This may be due to genetic 
factors or the mineral content of the soil as well as polishing and processing [17]. The rate of fertilizer application 
and the native fertility of paddy fields have been shown to affect the mineral levels of rice [34].   

An analysis of nutrient content of rice suggests that the nutritional component of rice is one of the most 
important indicators of quality; rice is predominantly a starchy food though it also contributes useful quantities of 
proteins and vitamins, mineral and fiber.  

The chemical composition (nutrients) of rice grain varies considerably depending on factors like plant variety 
(breeds), environmental condition (i.e. location and season in which grown), fertilizer treatment, degree of milling, 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietary_mineral


Agriculture and Food Sciences Research, 2017, 4(1): 1-7 

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and condition of storage [35]. As with all natural foods, the precise nutritional composition of rice varies depends 
on the variety, soil conditions, environmental conditions and types of fertilizers.   

 

4. Conclusion 
The local rice compared well with imported rice in terms of carbohydrate (74.20-79.41%) but had significantly 

higher fat (1.1-2.57%) and fibre (0.64-1.95%) while the imported rice had higher protein content (7.0-8.4%). The 
local rice Maawuwoe coop brown rice had significantly high Fe and Zn contents, 96 mg/100g and 2.9 mg/100g 
respectively; while Shigafa brown rice recorded the highest for Mn, 1.81 mg/100g. The imported brand 1, however 
had the highest Mg content (96 mg/100g).  

The results show that local rice is a nutritious staple crop, containing most of the essential nutrients. Efforts to 
improve local rice consumption in Ghana should introduce other desirable attributes such as taste into breeding 
programmes to make local rice attractive to consumers. Education and advertisement of nutritional characteristics 
of local rice are important steps to improve the patronage of local rice in Ghana.  
 

References 
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[2] S. Asuming-Brempong and Y. Osei-Asare, Has imported rice crowded-out domestic rice production in Ghana? What has been the role of 

policy? African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE) Conference Proceedings, 2007. 
[3] Statistics Research and Information Directorate (SRID), Agriculture in Ghana, 2006. Facts and figures report. Accra, Ghana: Ministry 

of Food and Agriculture, 2006a. 
[4] Oxford Business Group, "Closing the gap: The rising cost of rice imports is driving change in domestic production," The Report: 

Ghana 2013 | Agriculture, 2014. 
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