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Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA) 3(1) (2019) 01-04
ISSN: 2521-2931 (Print)
ISSN: 2521-294X (Online)
CODEN : MJSAEJ
Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA)
DOI
: http://doi.org/10.26480/mjsa.01.2019.01.04
REVIEW ARTICLE
MINERAL NUTRIENT CONTENT OF BUCKWHEAT
(
Fagopyrum esculentum
Moench) FOR NUTRITIONAL SECURITY IN NEPAL
Bikram Nepali1*, Devashish Bhandari1, Jiban Shrestha2
1
Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal.
2
National Commercial Agriculture Research Program, NARC, Pakhribas, Dhankuta, Nepal
*Corresponding author email: bikramn25@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9566-291X
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
ARTICLE DETAILS
Article History:
Received 15 November 2018
Accepted 17 December 2018
Available online 2 January 2019
ABSTRACT
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is grown primarily to produce grains for human consumption because of
its nutritive and health promoting value. Buckwheat is the sixth staple food after rice, wheat, maize, finger millet
and barley in Nepal. This study principally focuses on the mineral nutrient content of buckwheat and their role in
human health and nutrition. Buckwheat is used as basic food, animal feed, vegetable, soup, beverage and medicine. It
is rich source of proteins, starch, antioxidants, dietary fibre and trace elements. It is rich in minerals like Zn, Cu, Fe,
Mn, Se, K, Na, Ca and Mg. It is rich in fats, flavonoid and vitamin especially B groups. Buckwheat proteins contain amino
acid which is well balanced and is of a high biological value. Buckwheat is rich source of rutin. The high level of rutin
is extracted from the leaves for medicine to treat high blood pressure. This review serves as a useful tool to
researchers and nutritionist who are working in food and nutritional security in Nepal.
KEYWORDS
Common Buckwheat, Nutrient value, Food security, Nepal
1.
INTRODUCTION
In Nepal, buckwheat is a sixth staple food crop after rice, wheat, maize,
finger millet, and barley. It is considered as poor man’s crop and is an
alternate cereal that represents an important food supply in remote places
of Himalayas. Both species of buckwheat species namely Fagopyrum
esculentum Moench
and
F. tataricum Geartn
are grown in Nepal. It is
staple
food crop in high hills where it is grown as the major summer
crop. In colder areas Tataricum type is more common where common
buckwheat cannot be cultivated [1]. Common Buckwheat (fagopyrum
esculentum) is grown throughout the country, whereas bitter
Buckwheat (fagopyrum tatricum) is grown in the hilly area of Nepal. Hill
Crops Research Program (HCRP), Dolakha, Nepal has 495 accessions of
buckwheat that includes common and tataricum type from local and
exotic sources [1]. Relatively wide adaptability has been observed in
tataricum type than in common buckwheat.
It is the best crop in higher altitude in terms of adaptation to different
climatic variables and easily fitted to different cropping patterns due to
short duration. It is cultivated on marginal land in 61 out of 75 districts of
Nepal from some 60 m to 4500 m above sea level, especially hilly and
mountain districts like Rukum, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Dolpa, Humla, Jumla,
Kalikot, Kavre, Dolakha, and Okhaldhunga, Mustang, Solukhumbu, and
Taplejung districts regularly since time immemorial [2]. Recently it has
been grown in some Terai districts like Chitwan, Jhapa, and Nawalparasi
for commercial purposes especially for green vegetable which has very
high demand due to rutin contents. Every family grows Tartary buckwheat
in upper Mustang and Dolpa districts and diversity of buckwheat is very
high in Manang, Dolpa, Mustang, Jumla, and Solukhumbu [2,3].
Grain and other tissues of buckwheat contain many nutraceutical
components and rich in vitamins, especially B groups [4,5]. The amino acid
composition of buckwheat proteins is well balanced and has a high
biological value, although protein digestibility is relatively low [6]. The
microelements, such as Zn, Cu, Mn, Se can be achieved from buckwheat
grains and and microelements: K, Na, Ca, Mg [7,8]. Rutin, catechins and
other polyphenols and their significant antioxidant effects the dietary
value [9,10]. Buckwheat grain is a rich source of TDF (total dietary fiber),
soluble dietary fiber (SDF), and is used in the prevention of obesity and
diabetes [11].
Rational of study
Human daily basis consumption of food were Rice, Maize, and wheat in
Nepal. The ratio of cultivation and consumption of those food crop was
increasing annually, whereas these crop does not provide ample nutrition
for pregnant women and children. However, underutilized crop like:
Buckwheat, finger millet, prosomillet, and amaranthus which contain
high nutrition value are in the looming stage. If such production trend of
major crops spike, it would threat the food basket of Nepal. This review
assesses the nutrition value of Buckwheat, so that it can be an informative
paper to every viewer.
2. Growth value of buckwheat
Cite The Article: Bikram Nepali, Devashish Bhandari, Jiban Shrestha (2019). Mineral Nutrient Content of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) For
Nutritional Security In Nepal. Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 3(1): 01-04.
Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA) 3(1) (2019) 01-04
Cite The Article: Bi kram Nepali, Devashish Bhandari, Jiban Shrestha (2019). Mineral Nutri ent C ontent Of Buc kwheat (Fagop yrum esculentum Moench) For Nutritional
Security In Nepal. Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 3(1): 01-04.
Buckwheat is a multipurpose crop and is grown for use as basic food,
animal feed, vegetable, soup, beverage and medicine [2,12]. All parts of
buckwheat plants are used in various ways. The rutin produced by leaf is
an important pharmaceutical product used to brew tea for the treatment
of hypertonia. About a month, blooming flowers produce high-quality
nectar for honey; grains are the basic food; hulls of grains are used to make
pillows; straw is a good source for livestock; green plants are used as green
fertilizers [2, 13].
In Nepal there is a list of 34 dishes prepared with buckwheat, such as such
as dhindo (thick porridge), roti (bread), momo (Chinese pancake), lagar
(very thick bread), dheshu (thicker than lagar), fresh vegetables, dried
vegetables, Kancho pitho (raw flour), chhyang or jaand (local beer), raksi
(alcohol), salad (leaves), pickle (fresh and dry leaves), soup, ryale roti,
Noodle, sel roti, bhat (rice), sausage, dorpa dal, tea, vinegar, jam, macaroni,
biscuit, cakes, mithai (sweet), haluwa, puri, puwa, bhuteko Phapar
(roasted grain), satu, phuraula, porridge, and pakauda. Nepalese people
from mountain region prefer dhindo than other items due to their specific
taste [2,3].
3. Health benefits of buckwheat
Buckwheat is a very nutrient-rich, gluten-free plant source for a wealth of
health benefits, including a boost in heart health, reduction in blood
pressure, aid in weight loss, prevention of certain cancers, management of
diabetes, improved digestion and cholesterol levels, and stronger immune
system. Buckwheat gives higher calories and carbohydrates than the
widely consumed wheat. It can easily serve as an excellent alternative to
the traditional wheat [14]. Buckwheat is a great source of dietary fibre,
with 10g per 100g [15]. It is another gluten-free food source. The grains
compose of several polyphenolic antioxidant compounds such as rutin,
tannins, and catechin. The rutin (extracted from the buckwheat leaves) is
used as medicine to treat high blood pressure. Buckwheat is a good source
of protein with 13.2g per 100g [15]. The protein it contains is of a very high
quality, the amino acids are well balanced. It is particularly high in lysine
and arginine [16]. It is a very good source of the mineral magnesium
(231mg per 100g) [15]. Buckwheat is a great source of manganese,
phosphorous, copper [17]. For the production of red blood cells copper is
necessary. Magnesium make relaxes blood vessels leading to brain and
found to have healing effects on depression, and headache. Buckwheat is
rich in Folate, it helps your body produce and maintain new cells,
especially red blood cells. It is particularly important for pregnant women
to have enough folate. They must start having folate rich foods like
Buckwheat even while they are planning to conceive. Consuming enough
folate before and during pregnancy helps to prevent major birth defects
concerning the baby's brain. Buckwheat grains have more B-complex
group of vitamins, especially riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin
B3).
4.
Nutritional and chemical components of buckwheat grains
Buckwheat protein is rich in arginine and lysine, which constituent about
(13.36%) [10,18]. The amino acid composition of buckwheat proteins is of
a high biological value and is well balanced [19]. Buckwheat products is an
important source of retrograded starch [18]. It also contains some healing
component and biologically active properties, such as flavonoids and
flavon, condensed thanins, phenolic acid, phytosterols and fagopyrins in
grain and hulls. Flavonoids are phytonutrients which act as antioxidants
and having chelating properties [20]. Flavonoid compound is effective for
the reduction of blood cholesterol and helping the reduction of blood
pressure.
Rutin was the essential and beneficial component from health point of
view especially found in the Buckwheat. It was a flavonol glycoside
composed of flavonol quercetin and disaccharide rutinose. It has a ability
to generate reactive oxygen due to antioxidant power. Rutin was found to
possess highest antioxidant activity of all the identified phenolics in
buckwheat.
Table 1: Amount of proteins contents in buckwheat grains [18]
N (% d.m.) × 6.5
Authors
12.0 – 13.0
[21]
12.11
[5]
13.30 – 15.55
[8]
8.51 – 18.87
[22]
12.02
[23]
Table 2: Amino acid content of buckwheat grain (%w/w) [18]
Aminoacids
[8]
[24]
[25]
Lysine
4.9
6.17
5.68
Histidine
1.4
2.44
2.52
Arginine
5.4
8.85
11.16
Glutamic acid
9.7
15.37
19.38
Aspartic acid
5.2
9.10
9.54
Threonine
1.9
4.04
3.5
Serine
2.4
4.89
4.61
Proline
2.6
4.57
7.93
Glycine
4.2
6.23
5.66
Alanine
3.0
4.82
3.89
Valine
3.4
4.97
4.26
Isoleucine
2.6
3.41
3.12
Leucine
2.8
6.12
5.94
Methionine
1.6
0.99
2.3
Tyrosine
1.5
1.94
3.03
Phenylalanine
2.0
4.42
4.3
Tryptophane
1.5
2.14
2.0
Table 3: Nutrient content in Buckwheat.
S.No.
Component
Amount
Cited
1.
Content of phytosterols
250 mg/day
[26]
Cite The Article: Bi kram Nepali, Devashish Bhandari, Jiban Shrestha (2019). Mineral Nutri ent C ontent Of Buc kwheat (Fagop yrum esculentum Moench) For Nutritional
Security In Nepal. Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 3(1): 01-04.
Malaysian Journal of Sustainable Agriculture (MJSA) 3(1) (2019) 01-04
2.
Protein content
11.5g/100g
[27]
3.
Lipid content
3.45g/100g
[27]
4.
Carbohydrate content
6.4g/100g
[28]
5.
Vitamin B6 content
0.61mg/100g
[29]
Buckwheat was used for making bread, chapati, biscuits, cakes, dhindo,
wine, buckwheat tea etc. Thus, it can be used as staple diet in our country.
Consumption of bread with 30% added buckwheat increases antioxidant
capacity of serum [2]. Buckwheat kernel was rich in soluble protein, but it
has leucine as a first limited amino acid [8]. Flavonoids biosynthesis in
buckwheat makes it a health promoter food [30]. Buckwheat kernel was
rich in K, Fe and Zn in albumin, Ca, Mg and Mn in globulin and Na in
prolamin and glutelin [8]. Buckwheat protein has one of the highest amino
acid scores of protein in plant food stuffs [31]. Buckwheat products have
high level of resistant starch [32]. Buckwheat is rich source of phytosterol
mainly sitosterol and campesterol [27]. Plant sterols have positive
correlation with lowering blood cholesterol level [22]. Cycloartanol was
identified as unique sterol in raw and roasted buckwheat products [27].
5. Role of buckwheat in nutritional security in Nepal
Buckwheat can be used as a staple diet in Nepal by substituting highly
polished rice. Buckwheat higher nutritional value and medicinal value acts
as a food guard in the food security of Nepal. It has a multiple use thus
providing hub for agrobased industry. It is grown in marginal lands with
harsh environmental conditions thus being friendlier with farmers. But its
cultivation is decreasing, and its landraces are deteriorated due to various
factors. Preserving germplasm and planting local landraces helps for long
term sustainable agriculture in Nepal. It has an allelopathy effect thus we
do not have to deal with weed problems like in other crops. It can easily
cope with changing climate. Buckwheat flowers are very fragrant and are
attractive to bees thus they can be used to produce special, strong, dark
honey (Up2018). Buckwheat can be served as an alternative to rice
(Up2018). Buckwheat should be introduced in our daily diet to overcome
various health problems. Raw buckwheat groats are rich source of lipid,
protein and sterol in comparison to roasted buckwheat groats [27].
Buckwheat contains high level of starch similar to many cereal grains [31].
Components responsible for technological products may be concentrated
or regulated to obtain a desired product [32]. It grows well in areas with
less fertile soil and little rainfall. Leaves and shoot of common buckwheat
is used as leafy vegetable in Himalayan region [33]. Emphasis has to be
given on conservation and utilization of various genetic resources of this
multipurpose crop for economic and food security [33,34].
6.
CONCLUSION
Increased production of major cereals undermined the production of
highly nutritious crop like Buckwheat. Lack of Proper extension and
knowledge regarding the nutrition value of underutilized crops has caused
increased obsession with major crops. Buckwheat is rich in retrograded
starch, well balanced proteins, fats and vitamin especially B groups. Rutin
acts as a good antioxidant and sterols are positively associated with health
benefits. It is rich in minerals like Ca, Mg, Zn, K and Na. Buckwheat can be
used as nutritious and energizing food which contribute food and
nutritional security in Nepal.
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