Extraction of Rutin from Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) Seeds and Determination by Capillary Electrophoresis

The content of the flavonoid rutin was determined in different milling fractions of buckwheat seeds and in buckwheat stems, leaves, and flowers. The extraction was performed by using a solvent containing 60% of ethanol and 5% of ammonia in water. The extracts were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (running buffer of 50 mM borate (pH 9.3), 100 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate; determination at 380 nm). In bran fractions the concentration of rutin was 131−476 ppm, and in flour fractions 19−168 ppm. On average, about 300, 1000, and 46000 ppm of rutin were found in leaves, stems, and flowers, respectively. The results indicate that buckwheat could be an important nutritional source of flavonoids, especially in countries with a low mean daily flavonoid intake. Keywords: Fagopyrum esculentum; flavonoids; rutin; nutraceuticals; capillary electrophoresis