Relative distribution of free amino acids in buckwheat

Abstract

The most abundant amino acid in the sprouts of common buckwheat (CB) was Val (40%), followed by Tyr (28%), whereas Val accounted for 62% in tatary buckwheat (TB). The buckwheat stem and root commonly contained Gln (40-42% in stem; 30-37% in root). Thus, soluble amino nitrogen source is used for Gln in buckwheat. The main difference of amino acid distribution in 3 tissues between CB and TB was Tyr in sprouts. A low level of Tyr in TB was presumably resulted from the conversion to other phenolic metabolites. The content of essential free amino acids in TB sprout was 53% higher than that in CB. Thus, the TB sprouts are beneficial to the human nutrition.