Comparative Study of the Protein Contents of Local and Imported Rice Consumed in Senegal

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.