DETERMINATION OF THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF DIF FUSION AND FIXATION OF THE IONS FE2+ ZN2+ MN2+ AND CO2+, IN THE RICE ENDOSPERM, DURING RICE PARBOILING PROCESS

In this investigation the diffusion mechanism of the ions Fe2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Co2+, when aded to the soaking water during the process of ri ce parboiling, was observed. With the effect of the hydrothermal treat ment, these cations passed regularly through the outher layers, increa sing the levels in the polished grains. With respect to fixation and d iffusion in the starchy endosperm, the best responses were obtained wi th the addition of 400, 500, 600 and 100 miligrams of Fe2+, Zn2+, Mn2 and Co2+, respectively, per liter of soaking water. This treatment re sulted in a significative increase (p less-than-or-equal-to 0,05) of t he contents of these cations in the polished grain fraction as well as in the manufacturing of a nutritionaly richer product.