Rutin distribution in Tartary buckwheat: Identifying prime dietary sources through comparative analysis of...

Rutin is a crucial bioactive compound that determines the nutritional value of Tartary buckwheat (TB). However, the potential of utilizing TB as a dietary source of rutin for human consumption remains largely unexplored. This study aims to address these knowledge gaps by conducting a detailed analysis of rutin content distribution in TB tissues. Our findings revealed a significant variation in rutin content across different plant tissues. Notably, higher levels of rutin were found in embryos and cotyledons compared to other tissues, highlighting them as the primary sites of rutin accumulation in TB seeds and sprouts. Additional research on the processing of TB showed that sprouts and seeds retain high rutin levels even after boiling, steaming, deep-frying, stir-frying, and popping. Comparative analysis of different TB-derived products confirmed that cooked seeds and sprouts can serve as significant dietary sources of rutin. This study offers a foundational framework for the development of future dietary recommendations and applications of TB.