Arsenic speciation and elemental composition of rice samples from the Slovenian market

A survey of highly toxic arsenic compounds, together with some other elements was carried out on 40 polished rice samples (white, basmati and parboiled) and 10 brown rice samples from the Slovenian market. The average total As concentration was 157 ± 60 μg kg^-1; highest levels were found in parboiled and brown rice and lowest in basmati. The average inorganic As concentration was 90 ± 35 μg kg^-1. Dimethylarsinic acid and monomethylarsonic acid, which also exhibit high toxicity levels in some cases constitute >50% of total arsenic and might deserve more attention. Contrary to other foods, the total arsenic concentration in rice may even be a better health hazard indicator than the inorganic arsenic concentration. Elemental analysis of rice revealed large differences between polished and brown rice, especially for Mg, Mn, P, Fe and K, which were 2-4 times higher in brown rice than in polished rice.