Phytochemical profiling of pigmented traditional rice variety Aruvatham Kuruvai: GC-MS study

Rice, a staple food for half of the global population, is often consumed as white rice, which is nutrient deficient.In contrast, pigmented rice varieties are rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids and essential nutrients that offer health benefits.This study aimed to analyze the bioactive secondary metabolites and health promoting properties of the traditional pigmented rice variety, Aruvatham Kuruvai.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 150 metabolites in the rice dehusked seeds, of which 17 were recognized for their health-promoting properties.The secondary metabolites classes included flavonoids, tetraterpenoids, indoles, hydroxycinnamic acids, benzoic acids, steroids, and amino acids.Enrichment pathway analysis shows that steroid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, ascorbate, and aldarate metabolism potentially contributed to the rice's antioxidant, anticancer, antiinflammatory and antidiabetic effects.The presence of specific bioactive compounds such as ferulic acid, -sitosterol, p-coumaric acid, catechin, and GABA suggests that consuming Aruvatham Kuruvai could potentially benefit human health by preventing cancer, liver cirrhosis, hyperlipidemia and neurotoxicity.This research underscores the potential therapeutic applications of Aruvatham Kuruvai and encourages further exploration of its bioactive compounds.