Rice (Oryza sativa) is the most important staple food crop in the
world and provides starch, protein, and other essential nutrients
for over half of the global population. At least 49 nutrients are
required by humans for their normal growth and development
(Welch & Graham, 2004), and the demand for most nutrients is
generally supplied by cereals, particularly rice as a staple food.
Along with an ever growing number of global populations,
especially in regions like Asia where rice is regarded as the basic
food source, nutritional quality of the grain plays an indispensable
role upon human health.