‘Superhongmi’, a reddish brown rice cultivar, was derived from a cross between CG2-3-5-1-6-1 (Heugjinju/Suwon 425) producing blackish purple rice and ‘Daeribbyeo 1’ producing large white grains. A promising line, SR28721-7-5-2-1-2-1, was obtained using the pedigree breeding method from 2003 to 2015 and designated as ‘KNOU6R’. This variety headed on September 5, and its culm length is 94.7 cm. The panicle length of ‘Superhongmi’ is 19.8 cm. The number of panicles per hill and grain per panicle is 5.4 ea and 154.9 ea, respectively. The fertility ratio of ‘Superhongmi’ is approximately 91.0% and 1000-grain weight (TGW) is approximately 26.8 g, which is similar to that of ‘Superjami’; however, the number of panicles per hill is half of that of ‘Superjami’. The content of taxifolin and total polyphenol extracted from whole grains of ‘Superhongmi’ is 67.7 and 248 mg/100g seed weight, respectively (Registration No. 7365).

This study was conducted to obtain general information for rice breeding materials high in taxifolin content. The taxifolin was isolated from the rice variety, ‘Superhongmi’, and was identified by means of spectral methods and quantitative analysis using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The taxifolin content of the ‘Superhongmi’ variety was ranged between 32mg and 68mg per 100g seed that differs depending on cultivated regions. The taxifolin content was lower grown at mid north than those at south region. A large amount of taxifolin was found in the aleurone layer of seed as well as in the node of spike of the ‘Superhongmi’. The weight of 1,000 grains was ranged between 23.5g and 27.8g that varied depending on cultivated regions. This variety showed heading in the 6^th of September, and its fertility ratio was about 83% in sejong region. These results suggest that the taxifolin-rich rice variety, ‘Superhongmi’, is a good source of functional and stable food.

‘Neugeunsuperjami’, a late maturing and blackish purple pigmented rice cultivar, was developed from a cross between Gumjeongbyeo and Hwaseonchalbyeo. During selected by pedigree breeding method until F⁸ generation, a promising line, SR28757-22-2-4-2-1-1-2-B, was selected and advanced by late maturing and content of Cyanidin 3-glucoside. Advance line designated as the name of ‘KNOU 13’. This variety headed on August 28, 140 days to heading after sowing. The culm length and the panicle length of ‘Neugeunsuperjami’ was 91.0 cm and 20.0 cm, respectively. The number of panicle per hill was 10.5 and the number of grain per panicle was 88.6. The dehulling recovery of ‘Neugeunsuperjami’ was about 80.5% and 1,000-grain weight was about 19.7 g, heavier than that of ‘Heugjinju’. ‘Neugeunsuperjami’ has 3~5 times higher Cyanidin-3-glucoside(C3G) content compared with ‘Heugjinju’.

A black rice variety ‘Pareunsuperjami’ developed from a conventional breeding method is an early maturing variety, of which heading time is 113 days after sowing, about the 30th of July. Its culm length and 1000 grain weights are 64.6 cm and 18.6 g, respectively, with the heavier grain weight than that of Heugjinju. ‘Pareunsuperjami’ has the higher content of cyaniding 3-glucoside (C3G) and strong antioxidant activity, compared to other color rice varieties. The highest content of total polyphenol extracted by a 70% of ethanol was found in the grain of Pareunsuperjami rice among other varieties, such as Daeripjami, Heugjinju, Daeripbyeo. The flavonoid and C3G contents were in the order of Pareunsuperjami > Daeripjami > Heugjinju > Daeripbyeo with a 5-fold higher C3G in Pareunsuperjami (1,038 mg/100g) than that of Heugjinju (204 mg/100g). The highest radical scavenging activity of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid, ABTS) was observed in the grain of Pareunsuperjami rice, about 383. The highest ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) was also observed in the grain of Pareunsuperjami (383), followed by Daeripjami (356) and Heugjinju (275). The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity in vitro was also found in the grain of Pareunsuperjami. The higher hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was also found in the grain of Pareunsuperjami than that of Daeripbyeo with no significant difference than other color rice varieties. These results suggest that there is a close relation between high content of C3G and strong antioxidant activity, and thus the Pareunsuperjami is a good source of natural antioxidants as a functional staple food.

‘Superjami 2’, a new blackish purple pigmented rice cultivar was derived from a cross between CG2-3-5-1-6-1 (Heugjinju/Suwon 425) having a high cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) contents and ‘Daeribbyeo 1’ having a large grain size. During selected by pedigree breeding method until F10 generation, a promising line, SR28721-7-5-2-1-2-1, was advanced and designated as the name of ‘KNOU 6’. This variety headed on Aug. 30, so 125 days to heading after sowing and has 106 cm culm length. The panicle length of ‘Superjami 2’ was 20.4 cm. The number of panicle per hill was 8.5 ea, and the number of grain per panicles was 143.0 ea. The ratio of fertility of ‘Superjami 2’ was about 82.0% and 1,000-grain weight was about 30.1 g. The 1,000 grain weight of ‘Superjami 2’ (30.1 g) was heavier than that of ‘Heugjinju’. Also, ‘Superjami 2’ has 9 times higher C3G content compared with ‘Heugjinju’.