Factor analysis of the functional properties of rice flours from mutant genotypes

A set of 27 waxy rice genotypes and 52 rice genotypes with medium and high amylose contents were screened for various functional properties of flour. In this study, 68 genotypes containing various amylose contents (1.2–30.4%) were mutants of the rice variety TNG67 widely grown in Taiwan. The proximate composition, pasting, thermal and textural properties of rice flours were determined and analysed with factor analysis to assess the genetic differences. A wide variation in various functional properties was observed. Factor analysis indicated that four factors relating to amylose content, gel textural, gelatinization and protein content could explain 80% of the variability among 79 rice flours. Correlation studies and scatter diagrams also indicated the larger role of amylose with respect to protein and lipid in determining the rice flour quality. The present study can be used for readily identifying differences between rice genotypes for eating/cooking quality.