Comparative analysis of metabolite profiling and free radical scavenging activity in phenotypic variants of OsCOP1 colored rice mutant seed

•COP1 mutation leads to a decrease in total FA content by >50% compared to the WT.•The yel-mutant showed significantly higher flavone contents than their WT.•Isoorientin was the major phenolic found in the yel-cc-p and yel-sk-y mutants.•Flavones, δ-tocopherol, and TPC were suitable for describing the yel-mutant.•Free radical scavenging activity was ∼2-folds higher in yel-mutant than WT. Interest in colored rice has been increasing due to its health benefits. This study examined the metabolite profiling of CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) mutated rice seed (yel-mutant). The wild-type (WT) and the yel-mutant having yellow (y)- and purple (p)-pericarp variants from Chucheong (cc) and Samkwang (sk) cultivars were investigated for differences in bioactive metabolite profiles and free radical scavenging activity. The total fatty acid content decreased by >50% in the yel-mutant against the WT, while no significant difference was observed between yellow- and purple-pericarp variants (p