Bioactive components in rice vary depending on the variety and growing condition. Fat-soluble components such as gamma-oryzanol, tocopherols, tocotrienols, carotenoids, and fatty acids were analyzed in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties using established high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and GC methodologies. In addition, these colored rice varieties were further analyzed using a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (LTQ-Orbitrap XL) to identify the [M-H](-) ions of gamma-oryzanol, ranging from m/z 573.3949 to 617.4211. The highest content of tocopherols (alpha-, 1.5; gamma-, 0.5 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (lutein 244; trans-beta carotene 25 mu g/100 g) were observed in black rice; tocotrienols (alpha-, 0.07; gamma-, 0.14 mg/100 g) in red rice, and gamma-oryzanol (115 mg/100 g) in sugary brown rice. In all colored rice varieties, the major fatty acids were palmitic (16:0), oleic (18:1n-9), and linoleic (18:2n-6) acids. When the gamma-oryzanol components were further analyzed by LC-MS/MS, 3, 10, 8, and 8 triterpene alcohols or sterol ferulates were identified in brown, sugary brown, red, and black rice varieties, respectively. Such structural identification can lead to the elucidation of biological function of each component at the molecular level. Consumption of colored rice rich in beneficial bioactive compounds may be a useful dietary strategy for achieving optimal health.Rural Development Administration, KoreaU.S. Department of AgricultureTufts Univ, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutr Res Ctr Aging, Boston, MA 02111 USAUNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu Med Sch, Botucatu, SP, BrazilRural Dev Adm, Natl Inst Crop Sci, Miryang, South KoreaUniv Milan, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Milan, ItalyKonkuk Univ, Div Food Biosci, Coll Biomed & Hlth Sci, Chungju Si 380701, Chungcheongbuk, South KoreaUNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu Med Sch, Botucatu, SP, BrazilRural Development Administration, KoreaPJ010059U.S. Department of Agriculture58-1950-7-707