Alpha and Beta amylase activity of Fagopyrum esculentum (Buckwheat): A Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Fagopyrum esculentum, common buckwheat popularly known as mithe fapar is one of the staple food crops of the mountain region. Traditionally, it is used to treat constipation and bowel upsets. It is also used by diabetic in different parts of Nepal and India. Due to its high nutritive and medicinal value, medical scientist and researchers are interested in developing this as pharmaceutical plant. In this regard department of biochemistry, College of Applied Education and Health Sciences, C.C.S. University, Meerut, India is working to analyse the biochemical composition and benefits of this plant. So, as a part of a multidimensional project of analyzing various components and their impact on health and diseases, here we are reporting the amylase activity during germination of seed in Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) plant. Methodology: Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) seeds were taken and germinated in dark at room temperature from 0 hours to 192 hours. Biochemical analysis for total amylase, alpha and beta amylase activities was measured by the standard method designed by Bernfeld (1955). Results: The seeds of buckwheat showed high level of amylolytic activity during different stages of germination. At 0 hours, negligible amylase activity was found. The first amylase activity was found at 24 hours and increases up to 96 hours. After 96 hours the total amylase activity starts decreasing and becomes almost negligible at 192 hours. Alpha and Beta -Amylase activity is reported separately. Conclusion: The amylases from the buckwheat showed different level of enzymatic activity during seed germination. Alpha amylase contributed a larger account to total amylase activity. The activity starts increasing and becomes maximum at 96 hours and starts decreasing and becomes lowest at 192 hours suggesting that alpha amylase plays a important role in starch metabolism in developing as well as geminating seeds which can be used for the drug discovery and treatment of several diseases like diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, constipation, bowel upsets, obesity and others.

Studies on Potential of Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana Gaertn. L.) Amylases for Industrial Applications

“…All Rights Reserved. same study cited above(Prakash and Deshwal, 2013) it was found that the enzyme activity was retained at 60% in 2 M NaCl after 24 hour incubation, while full activity was found in 0.5 M NaCl for the same duration of incubation. Therefore, changes in salt concentrations could also be studied to check for longer activity retention.…”

Untitled

“…after 1 hour (Prakash and Deshwal, 2013). Therefore, it is possible that incubation at lower temperature would have shown higher activity levels for a longer time in the present study.…”

“…Finger millet seeds germinated for 72 hours were found suitable for amylase activity in yet another study (Nirmal and Murali Krishna, 2003) β-amylase was found to be catalytically active in African finger millet seed malted for 96 hours (Kolawole, 2009). Other reports exist showing varying degree of germination time (3-5 days) for best amylase activity in different crops (Mawahib et al, 2010), (Nerkar et al, 2011), (Usha et al, 2011), (Prakash and Deshwal, 2013).…”

Uncovering the relationship and mechanisms of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) and Type II diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia using a network pharmacology approach

“…The earliest record of the medical function of TB in Chinese history traces back to about 2,000 years ago ( Lin, 1994 ). However it has only been in recent years that TB, a health-beneficial crop, has attracted a large attention for its nutraceutical functions ( Kreft, 2016 ; Prakash & Deshwal, 2013 ).…”