® The European Journal of Plant Science and Biotechnology ©2010 Global Science Books Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.): Concepts, Prospects and Potential Sun-Hee Woo1* • Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal1 • Suzuki Tatsuro2 • Clayton G. Campbell3 • Taiji Adachi4 • Young-Ho Yun1 • Keun-Yook Chung5 • Jong-Soon Choi6,7 1 Department of Crop Science, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea 2 Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory, National Agriculture Research Center for Hokkaido Region, Shinsei, Memuro, Kasai-Gun, Hokkaido 082-0071, Japan 3 Kade Research Ltd., 135 13 Street, Morden, Manitoba, R6M 1E9 Canada 4 Venture Business Laboratory, Center for Advanced Science and Innovation, Osaka University, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan 5 Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 361-763, Korea 6 Proteomics Analysis Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 305-333, Korea 7 Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea Corresponding author : *
[email protected] ABSTRACT Buckwheat is grown throughout a large area of Asia and Southeast Asia as a crop. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a crop of secondary importance in many countries. The crop is not a cereal, but the seeds are usually classified among the cereal grains because of their similar usage. The protein of buckwheat is of excellent quality and is high in the essential amino acid lysine, unlike common cereals. Common buckwheat contains high nutritive substances (63% carbohydrate, 11.7% protein, 2.4% fat, 9.9% fiber, 11% water and 2% minerals). Common buckwheat is also important as a nectariferous and pharmaceutical plant, which contains rutin, its consumption has increased tremendously.