In Situ Analysis of Cellular Distribution of Iron and Zinc in Rice Grain Using SRXRF Method

Abstract：

In this study, SRXRF method was used to analyze distribution of iron, zinc and other 5 nutrient elements in rice grain of Fe/Zn dense (IR68144) and non-dense (IR64) cultivars. The contents of iron and zinc in the dense cultivar IR68144 were 21 and 53mg/kg, respectively, while those in the non-dense cultivar IR64 being 11.2 and 23mg/kg, respectively. Iron and zinc can be detected in anywhere of the transverse section of IR 68144 grains, but cannot be detected in the center of IR64 grain. The contents of iron and zinc in seed hull of IR68144 were 3.5-fold lower than those in IR64, but higher content in endosperm cells of grain was found in IR 68144 than in IR64. Remarkable differences in the distribution of iron and zinc across rice grains section were noted between the two cultivars, however, the accumulation of Fe/Zn in rice grains was closely correlated with sulfur, calcium and manganese. The results obtained form this research can provide definite gist for further research on accumulation mechanism of iron and zinc in rice grains.