Phytochemical, Antioxidant and Nutrient Analysis of Medicinal Rice (<I>Oryza Sativa L.</I>) Varieties Found in South India

Ten medicinal rice cultivars collected from South Indian states were investigated and compared for their phytochemical
composition, nutrient content, antioxidant activity and reducing power. From the phytochemical analysis,
Kullakar showed the highest flavonoid (176±6.12 �g/mL) content, whereas Njavara yellow had the highest
phenol (152±3.80 �g/mL) content. The antioxidant properties and reducing power of the rice varieties were
found out. Ambimohar and Njavara yellow showed the highest reducing power and Ambimohar had the highest
antioxidant property. The total protein content was high in Njavara yellow (10.92±0.28%). Hakkalasali,
Njavara black and Chennellu showed the highest carbohydrate content (74.5±2.65%). The medicinal rice Kullakar
showed high thiamine content (0.53±0.01 mg/100 g), while the riboflavin and niacin content was high in
Karikalaveya (0.08±0.01 mg/100 g and 16±0.58 mg/100 g respectively). The present study shows that the ten
medicinal rice cultivars possess phytochemical, anti-oxidants and nutrient content which is at par with or higher
than Njavara.