Planta Med 2009; 75 - PG60
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234714

Possibilities of buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. in modern nutrition and phyto-therapy (Dinarides, W. Balkan)

S Redzic 1, A Biscevic 2, A Redzic 3
  • 1Center of Ecology and Natural Resources, Faculty of Science University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • 2Lab. of Nutrition of Medicinal Faculty University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • 3Dep. of Biology and Human Genetics of the Medicinal Faculty University of Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum (Polygonaceae) used to be heavily used in nutrition of people in Balkan peninsula. At that time, buckwheat was used for making mashes, pies, bread, and pastry. However, many people were using it as preventive and therapeutic mean in treatment of different diseases [1].

After more than 50 years, buckwheat is becoming a favorite plant again. People started to breed it again in mountain areas of Dinarides. Dried plant (Herba) is used in preparation of infuse and as alco-tincture. Buckwheat honey has distinguished antimicrobial activity [2]. Material was gathered in Sarajevo surrounding at 1300m of altitude in 2006.

By using spectrophotometry, the presence of basic floral pigments was determined: chlorophyll a (8.599mg/l), chlorophyll b (22.869mg/l) and carotenoides (0.446mg/l). Enormously high concentration of chlorophyll b influences distinguished anti-oxidant activity of buckwheat [3,4]. Chromatography on thin layer proved the presence of rutine (by using reference substance and based on fluorescence at 254nm and 365nm). By using Borntrager's colored reaction, the presence of anthraquinone was determined. These researches significantly confirm ethical – botanical experiences with buckwheat at these areas and indicate beyond doubt huge possibilities of buckwheat in modern nutrition and phyto-therapy of wide specter of metabolic diseases, cardio-vascular diseases, insomnia and urological disorders.

References: [1] Redzic, S.J. (2006) Ecol. Food Nutr. 45:189–232.

[2] Redzic, S.S. (2007) Collegium Antropol. 31:869–90.

[3] Redzic, S. et al. (2005) Bosn. J. Basic Med. Sci. 5:53–8.

[4] Redzic, S. et al. (2006) Bosn. J. Basic Med. Sci. 6:25–31.