Comparative study of the effects of Tartary buckwheat seed and sprout consumption on the physiological indices and gut microbiota of C57BL/6J mice

Tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum)is a well-known pseudocereal for its health and economic value.However,abundant antinutritional factors(ANFs)reduces its health benefits.As reported,germination can improve the nutritional profile of grains.In this study,we systematically evaluate the safety of Tartary buckwheat seeds(TB)and Tartary buckwheat sprouts(TBS)used as high active ingredients.After evaluating nutrition levels,bioactive compounds and ANFs in TBS during germinating,5^(th)-day TBS were selected as the raw material.C57BL/6J mice were gavaged daily with distilled water,TB,or TBS for 6 weeks.The physiological indices related to ANFs were determined.Results showed that the TB intake tends to generate negative effects on the gut microbiota,and organs.Additionally,upon TB intake,the Fe^(3+)content in serum,trypsin activity in pancreas and jejunum decreased,while the cytokine,IgE,and histamine levels in serum,water content in faeces,cytokine levels in liver and jejunum increased.Conversely,TBS did not induce any obvious negative effects on the above relevant indices and showed better lipid-lowering effect.Altogether,TBS are safer and more effective as a raw material to produce the functional food for long-term consumption with the intention of preventing and treating hyperlipidaemia.

Silicon Mitigates Aluminum Toxicity of Tartary Buckwheat by Regulating Antioxidant Systems

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a considerable factor limiting crop yield and biomass in acidic soil. Tartary buckwheatgrowing in acidic soil may suffer from Al poisoning. Here, we investigated the influence of Al stress on the growthof tartary buckwheat seedling roots, and the alleviation of Al stress by silicon (Si), as has been demonstrated inmany crops. Under Al stress, root growth (total root length, primary root length, root tips, root surface area, androot volume) was significantly inhibited, and Al and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulated in the root tips. At thesame time, catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase activities, polyphenols, flavonoids, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) free-radical scavenging abilitywere significantly decreased. After the application of Si, root growth, Al accumulation, and oxidative damage wereimproved. Compared to Al-treated seedlings, the contents of ·O2− and MDA decreased by 29.39% and 25.22%,respectively. This was associated with Si-induced increases in peroxidase and CAT enzyme activity, flavonoidcompounds, and free-radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS). The application of Si therefore has positive effectson Al toxicity in tartary buckwheat roots by reducing Al accumulation in the roots and maintaining oxidationhomeostasis.

Preparation of Tartary Buckwheat Seed Coating Agent and Its Effect on Germination

To mitigate the wastage of seed resources and reduce the usage of pesticides and fertilizers, seed coating agentshave gained popularity. This study employs single-factor and multi-index orthogonal experimental design methodsto investigate the seed coating formula and physical properties of Tartary buckwheat. The specific effects ofeach component on Tartary buckwheat seed germination are analyzed. The findings reveal that the seed coatingagent formulated with 1.5% polyvinyl alcohol, 0.15% sodium alginate, 0.2% op-10, 0.1% polyacrylamide, 8% colorant,3% ammonium sulfate, 1% potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and 0.15% carbendazim exhibits the mosteffective coating. It demonstrates optimal physical properties and promotes seed germination efficiently. The suspensionrate of this seed coating agent reaches 91.12%, with a mere 2.13% coating shedding rate and 2.5% coatingseed rot rate. Furthermore, it achieves a germination percentage of 99.17%, which is 20.84% higher than the lowestgroup. The germination potential and index are also significantly higher than the lowest group, with anincrease of 20.84% and 26.56%, respectively. Additionally, the vitality index is 553.08, a 15.75% increase comparedto the lowest group. The application of seed coating agents helps reduce seed resource loss, increase plant numbers,and ultimately enhance agricultural yields. This finding holds practical significance in agriculturalproduction.

The beneficial effects of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) on diet-induced obesity in mice are related to the modulation of gut microbiota composition

The gut is home to a large number of intestinal microbiota that play an important role in the metabolism and immune system of the host.A growing body of evidence suggests that a high-fat diet is closely associated with many metabolic disorders,including fatty liver and type 2 diabetes.According to reports,Tartary buckwheat extract has a positive effect on intestinal microbiota in animals.The effects of Tartary buckwheat on biochemical indexes and intestinal microflora in mice were studied.Tartary buckwheat protein(FGP),Tartary buckwheat resistant starch(FGS)and Tartary buckwheat flour(FGF)alleviated organ damage in mice and lowered the atherosclerotic index(AI)in plasma.Otherwise,principal coordinate analysis(PCoA)showed that intestinal bacterial structure of FGF were separated apparently from other groups.The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B)value of the high-fat(HF)-FGF group was significantly lower than that of the HF-FGP and HF-FGS groups.FGF significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium,while decreasing the abundance of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-producing bacteria.Observation of blood lipid metabolism parameters and analysis of the intestinal microbiota suggested that FGF can be more effective than FGP and FGS to reduce the effects of a high-fat diet in mice,restoring the blood parameters to values similar of those in mice fed a low-fat diet.FGF may be used to prevent or treat blood lipid metabolism disorders and intestinal microbiota disorders in mice fed a high-fat diet.

Growth,ROS Markers,Antioxidant Enzymes,Osmotic Regulators and Metabolic Changes in Tartary Buckwheat Subjected to Short Drought

Tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum)is an important pseudocereal feed crop with medicinal and nutritional value.Drought is one of the main causes of reduced growth and yield in these plants.We investigated the growth,physiological,and metabolic responses of the widely promoted Tartary buckwheat variety Chuan Qiao No.1 to polyethylene glycol(PEG)-mediated drought stress.Drought significantly decreased shoot length,shoot biomass and relative water content.Root length,malondialdehyde content,electrolyte leakage,activities of superoxide dismutase,peroxidase,catalase and amylase,and contents of soluble sugar,soluble protein and proline were increased by PEG-mediated drought.Untargeted metabolomics analysis identified 32 core metabolites in seedlings subjected to PEG-mediated drought,16 of which increased—including quercetin,isovitexin,cyanidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside,L-arginine,and glycerophosphocholine,while the other 16 decreased—including 3-methoxytyramine,2,6-diaminopimelic acid,citric acid,UDP-alpha-D-glucose,adenosine,keto-D-fructose.The 32 core metabolites were enriched in 29 metabolic pathways,including lysine biosynthesis,citrate(TCA)cycle,anthocyanin biosynthesis,and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis.Among them,taurine and hypotaurine metabolism,flavor and flavor biosynthesis,indole alkaline biosynthesis,and alanine,aspartate and glutamate metabolism were the four main metabolic pathways affected by drought.Our findings provide new insights into the physiological and metabolic response mechanisms of Tartary buckwheat to drought stress.

RAPD Analysis for Genetic Diversity of Nineteen Common and Tartary Buckwheat Varieties

[Objective]The study aimed to carry out RAPD analysis of genetic diversity of common and tartary buckwheat varieties.[Method] The genetic diversity of 19 common and tartary buckwheat varieties including the tested varieties in Guizhou region during 1999-2010 and their parents were studied using 7 primers by means of random amplified polymorphic DNA（RAPD）.[Result]A total of 149 DNA bands were obtained.In which,141 bands were polymorphic,accounting for 94.89%.Polymorphism analysis and cluster analysis showed that all varieties had their own special bands different from each other.The varieties native to Weining were close to each other,and other common buckwheat varieties were obviously different from each other.The interspecific genetic variation was the greatest;the intraspecific genetic variation of common buckwheat varieties was greater than that of tartary buckwheat varieties.[Conclusion]The RAPD fingerprints of the 19 buckwheat varieties were established in present study.

Variation of Protein Content in Tartary Buckwheat Seeds

[Objective]The aim was to select tartary buckwheat materials with high protein content.[Method]Used 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat as experimental material,and the protein content of seeds had been determined.[Result]The protein content of 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat will change in the range of 23.65-193.28 mg/g with an average of 111.85 mg/g.There was difference among different origins of tartary buckwheat.The seeds from Hezhang in Guizhou and Sichuan had highest protein content,while the seeds from Nayong had lowest protein content.[Conclusion]The study had provided theoretical basis for the further study on the genetic and variation law of protein content in different tartary buckwheat resources.

Variation of Glucose Content in Tartary Buckwheat Seeds

[Objective] This study aimed to finding out the difference in glucose content of tartary buckwheat seeds from different origins.[Method] Taking 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat from different origins as the test materials,the glucose content of seeds had been determined.[Result] The variation range of glucose content in 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat was from 0.055 6% to 0.840 2% with an average of 0.321 7%.There was a difference in glucose content of tartary buckwheat from different origins.The seeds T324 from Weining in Guizhou had the highest glucose content,while the seeds T398 also from Weining in Guizhou had the lowest glucose content.[Conclusion] This study provides a reference for the genetic variation law of glucose content in different tartary buckwheat resources.

Research on Variation in Sucrose Content among Different Tartary Buckwheat Genotypes

[Objective] The aim was to determine the difference in sucrose content of different tartary buckwheat sources,so as to screen low-sucrose buckwheat materials.[Method] The sucrose contents of 35 tartary buckwheat materials from different regions were measured.[Result] The sucrose content of the 35 tartary buckwheat materials varied from 0.007 7% to 0.208 9% with an average of 0.051 8%.There was some difference among the tartary buckwheat materials from different regions.The seeds from Hezhang in Guizhou had higher sucrose content,while the seeds from Nayong in Guizhou had lower sucrose content.[Conclusion] The content of sucrose was significantly low in tartary buckwheat,which could be popularized as a kind of low-sugar crop.

Sedative and Hypnotic Effects of Tartary Buckwheat Ethanol Extract

[Objective]The aim was to study the sedative and hypnotic effects of Tartary Buckwheat ethanol extract and lay a foundation for further expanding the application of Tartary Buckwheat. [Method]The effects of Tartary Buckwheat ethanol extract on pentobarbital sodium and mice spontaneous action times were recorded. [Result]Ethanol extract of Tartary Buckwheat could prolong mice sleep duration caused by pentobarbital sodium （suprathreshold dosage）,increase mice sleep number caused by pentobarbital sodium （subthreshold dosage）,and obviously inhibit mice spontaneous action times. [Conclusion]Ethanol extract of Tartary Buckwheat has a function of sedation.

Study on Germplasm Resources of Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) in Shanxi Province

This study analyzed the tartary buckwheat recorded in the books Catalogue of Crop Germplasm Resources in Shanxi Province and Catalogue of Chinese Buckwheat Germplasm Resources by Excel 2003 and DPS 7.5 from the aspects of distribution areas,main agronomic traits and nutritional components,so as to lay a foundation for the selection of excellent buckwheat germplasm resources and improvement of buckwheat varieties.The results showed that different buckwheat varieties vary in plant height,node number of the main stem,grain weight per plant,grain weight per plant and kilo-grain weight.Compared with the national average values,buckwheat in Shanxi is higher in protein and fat,but lower in vitamin E and vitamin PP;it is rich in Ca,Mg,Cu,P,Se,Fe,Mn and Zn;and it contains 18 amino acids with the content of glutamic acid being the highest and the content of tryptophane being the lowest.After analyzing and classifying the tartary buckwheat germplasm resources recorded in Catalogue of Grop Germplasm Resources in Shanxi Province and Catalogue of Chinese Buckwheat Germplasm Resources,breeders could breed new varieties with high yield and quality and strong stress resistance by crossbreeding with these germplasm resources.

Research on Physical and Chemical Properties of Different Tartary Buckwheat Resources

[Objective]The aim of this study was to select tartary buckwheat material with better health function.[Method]Used 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat as experimental materials,and the water holding capacity and expansion capacity had been determined.[Result] The water holding capacity of 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat will change in the range of 248.5%-341.4% with an average of 283.0%（the holding capacity of T324 was the highest）,while the change of expansion capacity changed between 0.50 and 1.50 ml/g with an average of 1.05 ml/g（the expansion capacity of T463 was the highest）.[Conclusion]This study had provided theoretical basis for screening better tartary buckwheat variety and its application.

Effect of Seed Soaking with Rare Earth on the Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Tartary Buckwheat under Different Water Conditions

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of soaked seed with rare earth on the seed germination and seedling growth of tartary buckwheat under different water conditions. [Method] A hydroponic experiment was carried out with the seeds of tartary buckwheat variety ＂Heifeng No.1＂ in the year 2012. [Result] ①In the normal irrigation, suitable concentration of rare earth increased the germination rate, vital index, germination index and sprouting index of tartary buckwheat seed; at the same time, the leaf area, stem thickness, total root length, root weight,leaf relative water content, proline content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, root activity, SOD activity and POD activity of seedling were significantly enhanced, while the relative conductivity and MDA content of tartary buckwheat were decreased obviously. ② Compared with water stress and normal irrigation, the indices of germination potential, germination rate, vital index, germination index, the leaf area, stem thickness, total root length, root weight, leaf relative water content,proline content, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, root activity, SOD and POD activity were reduced, while relative conductivity and MDA content were increased, and the extents differed in the treatment of different chemical regulators,and the varied range increased with the higher severity of soil water stress. ③ Under water stress, soaking seeds with suitable concentration（200 mg/L） of rare earth could significantly improve the SOD and POD activity, leaf area, total root length,chlorophyll content and root activity compared with CK. They could increase leaf relative water content by 8.9% and 10.8%, proline content by 7.5% and 8.2%, TTC activity by 13.8% and 16.7%, and soluble sugar content by 10.4% and 7.9% under mild and severe water stress, separately. [Conclusion] The appropriate concentration of rare earth was 200 mg/L.

Research on Se Content of Different Tartary Buckwheat Genotypes

[Objective]The aim was to screening the tartary buckwheat resources with higher Se content.[Method]35 accessions of tartary buckwheat resources were used as experimental materials,and the Se content of seeds were determined.[Result]The Se content of 35 kinds of tartary buckwheat will change in a range of 0.009 9 to 0.120 8 mg/g with an average of 0.040 6 mg/g.There was difference among tartary buckwheat from different origins.The seeds from Gansu had the highest content of Se,while the seeds from Nayong in Guizhou and Shaanxi had a lowest content of Se.[Conclusion]The study had important significance for further study on the genetic and variation law of Se content between different tartary buckwheat resources.

Physiological and Biochemical Mechanisms of Exogenous Calcium Chloride on Alleviating Salt Stress in Two Tartary Buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum)Varieties Differing in Salinity Tolerance

Salt stress is one of the most serious abiotic stresses limiting plant growth and development.Calcium as an essential nutrient element and important signaling molecule plays an important role in ameliorating the adverse effect of salinity on plants.This study aimed to investigate the impact of exogenous calcium on improving salt tolerance in Tartary buckwheat cultivars,cv.Xinong9920(salt-tolerant)and cv.Xinong9909(salt-sensitive).Four-week-old Tartary buckwheat seedlings under 100 mM NaCl stress were treated with and without exogenous calcium chloride(CaCl_(2)),Ca^(2+)chelator ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid(EGTA)and Ca^(2+)-channel blocker lanthanum chloride(LaCl_(3))for 10 days.Then,some important physiological and biochemical indexes were determined.The results showed that salt stress significantly reduced seedling growth,decreased photosynthetic pigments,inhibited antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities.However,it increased the reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in the two Tartary buckwheat cultivars.Exogenous 10 mM CaCl_(2)application on salt-stressed Tartary buckwheat seedlings obviously mitigated the negative effects of NaCl stress and partially restored seedlings growth.Ca^(2+)-treated salt-stressed seedlings diplayed a suppressed accumulation of ROS,increased the contents of total chlorophyll,soluble protein,proline and antioxidants,and elevated the activities of antioxidant enzymes compared with salt stress alone.On the contrary,the addition of 0.5 mM LaCl_(3)and 5 mM EGTA on salt-stressed Tartary buckwheat seedlings exhibited the opposite effects to those with CaCl_(2)treatment.These results indicate that exogenous Ca^(2+)can enhance salt stress tolerance and Ca^(2+)supplementation may be an effective practice to cultivate Tartary buckwheat in saline soils.

Tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum(L.)Gaertn)protein-derived antioxidant peptides:mechanisms of action and structure-activity relationship in Caco-2 cell models

Excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS)can cause oxidative damage and lead to various metabolic disease.Tartary buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum(L.)Gaertn)is a new kind of protein-rich functional food,the protein in which has been proved to have good antioxidant capacity.In this study,in order to further explore the antioxidant mechanism of Tartary buckwheat protein,4 peptides(CR-8,LR-8,GK-10 and SR-12)were isolated and identified from it.H2 O2 was used to induce oxidative damage to Caco-2 cells to evaluate antioxidant capacity of these peptides.The results of superoxide dismutase(SOD),total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)and mitochondrial membrane potential etc.showed that these peptides have superior antioxidant capacity.CR-8 has the best antioxidant capacity.In order to further clarify the antioxidant mechanism of CR-8,metabolomics was used to analyze related metabolites and metabolic pathways.The results showed that after CR-8 intervention,the content of metabolites such as L-acetyl carnitine has increased.This indicated that CR-8 can improve the antioxidant capacity of damaged cells by intervening in multiple metabolic pathways.This also revealed the anti-oxidant mechanism of tartary buckwheat protein.In conclusion,it provided a theoretical basis for further studying the activity of tartary buckwheat portein and utilizing buckwheat resources.

Development of a Kind of Tartary Buckwheat Rice Wine

[Objectives]This study was conducted to improve the utilization of tartary buckwheat resources,enrich the varieties of rice wine products,and further promote the development of the rice wine industry.[Methods]With tartary buckwheat and glutinous rice as raw materials for mixed fermentation and sensory score as an evaluation indicator,the effects of four factors of material ratio,rice leaven addition,material-to-water ratio and fermentation time on the quality of tartary buckwheat rice wine were investigated.The optimal technological conditions of tartary buckwheat rice wine were determined by an orthogonal test.[Results]The optimal process conditions were as follows:the material ratio of 1∶0.2(g/g),the addition amount of rice leaven of 0.5%,the material to water ratio of 1∶0.4(g/ml),and the fermentation time of 72 h.The obtained tartary buckwheat rice wine product was light yellow,clear and bright,and tasted moderately sweet and sour.[Conclusions]The tartary buckwheat rice wine product has good color,fragrance and taste,and is a healthy drink that conforms to people s health concepts and is suitable for drinking.

Analysis of Seed Phenotypic and Metabolic Characteristics of Diploid and Tetraploid Tartary Buckwheat

Polyploid plants grow well,are stress tolerant,and are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds.Thus,they are useful for improving crop quality and yield.In this study,we compared the seed characteristics and metabolite profiles of diploid and tetraploid tartary buckwheat,which was developed via an artificially induced chromosome doubling event.The length,width,area,and thousand-grain weight were greater for the tetraploid seeds than for the diploid seeds.However,the germination rate decreased for the tetraploid seeds.Additionally,there was a gap between the shell and kernel of the tetraploid seeds.Moreover,the water absorption rate was higher for the tetraploid than for the diploid seeds.Chromosome doubling increased the seed total flavonoid content and deepened the seed color.A principal component analysis of the ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry data revealed the clear separation between the diploid and tetraploid samples.An orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis and other multivariate statistical analyses identified 83 differentially abundant compounds,with most of the flavonoid metabolites more abundant in the tetraploid than in the diploid seeds.Research on tartary buckwheat polyploidy may result in enhanced germplasm resources and may clarify the mechanism underlying the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds.

Seed Setting and Its Spatial Characteristics in Tartary Buckwheat(Fagopyrum tataricum)

A low seed-setting rate is the main limiting factor influencing Tartary buckwheat production under high-yield cultivation conditions.To investigate the seed setting and its spatial characteristics,two Tartary buckwheat cultivars(high seed-setting rate cultivar Qianku 3;low seed-setting rate cultivar Liuku 3)were compared by a two-year field trial in 2017 and 2018.The results showed that the Tartary buckwheat underwent simultaneous flowering and fruiting.Flowers,generated from branch,were still blooming during the mature stage of grains on stem,which resulting in a greater number of flowers and grains on the branch than those on the stem at the low part of plant.The seed-setting characteristics significantly differed between two cultivars.The high seed-setting rate of Qianku 3 was 26.6%and 33.2%higher than Liuku 3 in 2017 and 2018,respectively.Meanwhile,Qianku 3 showed a higher filled grain number(157.8%)and seed-setting rate(66.4%)on branch than Liuku 3.A network analysis showed that the whole-plant seed-setting rate was positively correlated with grain number,which was closely correlated with flower number at the same position of plant.The path-coefficient analysis revealed that grains number on branches was the most dominant component(Path coefficient(P)=2.19)of the seed-setting rate,followed by grains number on stem(P=0.60).The grains number on branches showed the greatest positive direct effect with significant correlation(r=0.76 and P<0.01)on the seed-setting rate.Overall,the present study indicated that the grain number of branches may play a vital role in improving the seed-setting rate in Tartary buckwheat.

Optimization of Enzyme-assisted Extraction Technology for Tartary Buckwheat Shell Procyanidins with Response Surface Methodology

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cellulase dosage, enzymolysis time, pH and enzymolysis temperature on procyanidin extraction rate by single factor experiment, with tartary buckwheat shell as an experimental material.Main process parameters were optimized to obtain a regression model by response surface methodology. The results of variance analysis indicated that the regression model reflected the relationship between buckwheat shell procyanidin extraction rate with enzyme dosage, enzymolysis time, pH and enzymolysis temperature; and the optimal process parameters were enzyme dosage of 6.5 mg/g, enzymolysis time of 1.5 h, pH at 4.7 and enzymolysis temperature at 46 ℃. Three parallel experiments were conducted under these process parameters. In practice, the highest procyanidin extraction rate was 6.78 g/100 g. The relative error between the predicted value of regression model and the actual value was 1.3%. The regression equation fitted the real situation better.