Milled fractions of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) from the Himalayan regions: grain characteristics, functional properties and nutrient composition

This study evaluates and compares the milled fractions of buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum ) for their physical, functional properties and nutritional composition. Four samples of buckwheat from the Indian Himalayan regions were roller-milled into five fractions: fine-flour, grits, bran, hull-1 and hull-2. The water activity of the grains lies between 0.77 and 0.83%. The L * values were in the range of 22.77 ± 0.36 to 24.46 ± 0.37 for the four buckwheat grains. Water binding capacity and oil binding capacity showed an increasing pattern of fine flour > grits > bran > hull-1 whereas the swelling power exhibited a reverse trend. The maximum (20.03 ± 1.82%) and the minimum (3.19 ± 0.12%) protein content were found in bran and fine-flour fractions respectively. Highest starch content was detected in fine-flour (73.19 ± 2.00–76.32 ± 2.36%) and lowest in hull-1 (11.02 ± 2.00–17.54 ± 2.36%) with no significant ( p > 0.05) difference between different samples. Fine-flour exhibited the lowest phytates content (0.59 ± 0.00–0.62 ± 0.01%) whereas bran has highest tannins (0.06 ± 0.03–1.39 ± 0.02). Milled fractions with specific functional properties and nutrients composition have potential for different food applications.