Genotypic Variation in Nutritional Composition of Buckwheat Groats and Husks

Abstract

ABSTRACT Buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum ), a highly nutritious pseudocereal rich in bioactive compounds, is principally cultivated in central and eastern European countries. Buckwheat groats and husks of 10 cultivars were subjected to nutritional composition analysis and in vitro starch digestibility determination. Significant genetic variation was detected in buckwheat groats for 1,000‐kernel weight (16.5–39.8 g), protein content (10.2–17.9%), soluble dietary fiber (1.4–3.4%), insoluble dietary fiber (2.3–8.6%), total dietary fiber (3.6–10.6%), free phenolics (4.5–17.1 mg of gallic acid equivalent [GA]/g), and total phenolics content (6.8–20.7 mg of GA/g). The buckwheat husks exhibited large differences between cultivars in protein content (3.0–6.5%), bound phenolics (6.7–26.1 mg of GA/g), and total phenolics content (32.4–58.6 mg of GA/g), which was 1.5–8 times higher than in the groat. Cooked and cooled buckwheat groats exhibited lower starch digestibility and greater resistant starch content than raw buckwheat groats. Buckwheat cultivars with unique nutritional composition, such as Co901 and Ta‐1, were identified for future breeding.