TITLE:
Comparative Study of the Protein Contents of Local and Imported Rice Consumed in Senegal
AUTHORS:
Amadou Bouye Seydi, Nadina Zuleika Leite, Serigne Omar Sarr, Yérim Mbagnick Diop, Amadou Diop
KEYWORDS:
Proteins, Rice, Nutritional Value, Kjeldahl Method, River Valley, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.14 No.2,
February
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of the body. They
play a crucial role in different biological processes. This study focuses on
comparing the protein contents of local rice grown in the Senegal River valley
and rice imported from Asia. The objective is to evaluate the importance of the
protein nutritional value of local rice compared to imported rice. Protein
contents were determined using the Kjeldahl method. The results of the protein
assays show that local rice varieties such as Sahel 108 and Sahel 134 grown in
the Thilène basins had protein percentages comparable to those of imported
rice. The protein percentages were 15.19% ± 0.91% for the Sahel 108 variety and
16.62% ± 0.01% for the Sahel 134 variety compared to 15.8% ± 0.01% on average
for imported rice. Thus from the point of view of protein content, local rice
has a nutritional value identical to that of imported rice which it can validly
replace. It is important in Senegal to encourage local production, which would
make it possible to reduce imports on the one hand and to make quality rice
available to the local Senegalese market on the other. Sahel varieties with
high protein contents deserve large-scale development to meet the country’s
protein needs.