Tartary Buckwheat Bran: A Review of Its Chemical Composition, Processing Methods and Food Uses

Tartary Buckwheat Bran and Fructus Aurantii Combination (TBB-FA): A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Functional Dyspepsia via Modulation of Gut Microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Purine Signaling Pathway

This study evaluates the therapeutic impact of Fructus aurantii (FA) stir-baked with tartary buckwheat bran (TBB) on functional dyspepsia (FD), employing a reserpine at the dose of 5 mg/kg to rats. FA, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is processed with TBB to enhance its gastrointestinal motility benefits. The study's objectives were to assess the impact of this preparation on intestinal flora, SCFA levels, and metabolomic profiles in FD. Rats were divided into groups receiving different treatments, with the TBB-FA group showing a 7.15-33.2 times increase in fecal SCFA levels, specifically propionate and butyrate, compared to the Fructus aurantii (FA) stir-baked with wheat bran (WB) group (WB-FA) (p < 0.05). Metabolomics identified 23 serum and 11 intestinal mucosal biomarkers associated with FD, predominantly linked to the purine metabolic pathway. Results indicated a significant positive correlation (r ≥ 0.7) between the abundance of Bacteroides and the expression of propionate and isobutyrate in fecal samples post-TBB-FA treatment. This suggests that TBB-FA may enhance beneficial gut bacteria and SCFA production, potentially modulating the purinergic signaling pathway, which is implicated in gastrointestinal motility. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that TBB-FA could be a promising therapeutic approach for FD by improving gut microbiota and SCFA levels and highlights the purinergic signaling pathway as a novel target for treatment. The findings pave the way for further research into the integration of traditional Chinese medicine and modern therapeutic strategies for FD.

Global Research Trends and Future Directions for Buckwheat as a Smart Crop: A Bibliometric and Content Analysis

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) originates from Central Asia and is widely distributed around the world. It is recognized as a versatile food crop due to its nutritional richness. Conducting a systematic analysis of the literature on buckwheat research can help scientific researchers achieve a better understanding of the current state, hotspots, and trends in this field, thereby promoting the sustainable development of buckwheat. The study retrieved a total of 4512 articles related to buckwheat from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), involving 104 countries (regions), 3220 institutions, and 12,840 authors. The number of research papers on buckwheat is gradually increasing. China, Japan, Poland, the United States, and South Korea were the top five countries in terms of publication volume in this field. Among the top 10 institutions in terms of publication volume, Chinese institutions account for 60%. Northwest A & F University held a leading position in the number of papers published and cited. Research on buckwheat shows that both domestic and international research institutions tend to collaborate more with institutions within their own countries. A comprehensive analysis of journals with a high number of publications and citations in buckwheat research indicated that studies primarily focus on its use as food and its active substances. Analysis of the authors and cited authors indicated that Wu Qi and Zhu F, among others, have high reputations and significant influence in this field. Reference analysis has determined that early research primarily focused on buckwheat as a pseudo-cereal food; mid-term research mainly concentrated on its active substances and cultivation; later research became more comprehensive, focusing on its potential in food, biotechnology, and medical health, which gradually emerged as trends and hot topics. Keyword analysis indicates that buckwheat flour, antioxidant activity, protective biological control, and buckwheat husk are current research hotspots. This study systematically summarizes the current status of research in the field, identifies research hotspots and trends, and provides a reference for future investigations into buckwheat.

The impact of a polyphenol-rich supplement on epigenetic and cellular markers of immune age: a pilot clinical study

Age-related alterations in immune function are believed to increase risk for a host of age-related diseases leading to premature death and disability. Programming of the immune system by diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors occurs across the lifespan and influences both makeup and function of the immune system, including immunometabolism. This programming is believed to act in large part through epigenetic modification. Among dietary components that affect this process, polyphenols may play an outsized role. Polyphenols are a widely distributed group of plant nutrients consumed by humans. Certain foods possess distinctive and relatively higher levels of these compounds. One such food is Tartary buckwheat (fagopyrum tataricum), an ancient seed historically prized for its health benefits. It is suggested that the specific composition of polyphenols found in foods like Tartary buckwheat may lead to a unique impact on immunometabolic physiological pathways that could be interrogated through epigenetic analyses. The objective of this study was to investigate the epigenetic effects on peripheral immune cells in healthy individuals of a standardized polyphenol concentrate based on naturally occurring nutrients in Tartary buckwheat. This pilot clinical trial tested the effects of consuming 90 days of this concentrate in 50 healthy male (40%) and female (60%) participants aged 18-85 years using epigenetic age clocks and deconvolution methods. Analysis revealed significant intervention-related changes in multiple epigenetic age clocks and immune markers as well as population-wide alterations in gene ontology (GO) pathways related to longevity and immunity. This study provides previously unidentified insights into the immune, longevity and epigenetic effects of consumption of polyphenol-rich plants and generates additional support for health interventions built around historically consumed plants like Tartary buckwheat while offering compelling opportunities for additional research.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT05234203.

Utilization of Secondary Raw Materials from Rice and Buckwheat Processing for the Production of Enriched Bread: Optimization of Formulation, Physicochemical and Organoleptic Properties, Structural and Mechanical Properties, and Microbiological Safety

Pursuing enhanced nutritional value in bakery products through technological advancements and new recipes is a promising facet of the food industry. This study focuses on incorporating rice and buckwheat brans, additional raw materials rich in biologically active substances, into bakery products. Utilizing a second-order rotatable plan, optimal ratios were determined-5% rice bran and 10% buckwheat bran. The application of these brans influenced dough and bread quality, reducing sugar content by 5% in dry form and 29% in the fermented brew, potentially aiding in diabetes prevention and cholesterol control. Introducing brans, especially in fermented brew, positively impacted microbiological stability, reducing the risk of mold and potato disease. The developed bread technology using rice and buckwheat brans in fermented brew significantly increased nutritional value, satisfying adult daily protein needs by 31.2%, fats by 15%, and dietary fibers by 18.4%. This innovative approach ensures a sufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals, showcasing a promising avenue for creating healthier and more nutritious bakery products.

The diversity of endophytic fungi in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) and its correlation with flavonoids and phenotypic traits

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) is a significant medicinal crop, with flavonoids serving as a crucial measure of its quality. Presently, the artificial cultivation of Tartary buckwheat yields low results, and the quality varies across different origins. Therefore, it is imperative to identify an effective method to enhance the yield and quality of buckwheat. Endophytic fungi reside within plants and form a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship, aiding plants in nutrient absorption, promoting host growth, and improving secondary metabolites akin to the host. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to assess the diversity of endophytic fungi in Tartary buckwheat. Subsequently, a correlation analysis was performed between fungi and metabolites, revealing potential increases in flavonoid content due to endophytic fungi such as Bipolaris, Hymenula, and Colletotrichum. Additionally, a correlation analysis between fungi and phenotypic traits unveiled the potential influence of endophytic fungi such as Bipolaris, Buckleyzyma, and Trichosporon on the phenotypic traits of Tartary buckwheat. Notably, the endophytic fungi of the Bipolaris genus exhibited the potential to elevate the content of Tartary buckwheat metabolites and enhance crop growth. Consequently, this study successfully identified the resources of endophytic fungi in Tartary buckwheat, explored potential functional endophytic fungi, and laid a scientific foundation for future implementation of biological fertilizers in improving the quality and growth of Tartary buckwheat.