Changes in nutritional composition, enzyme activities and bioactive compounds of germinated buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculantum M.) under unchanged air and humidity conditions

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate changes in nutritional and bioactive compounds in buckwheat seeds during germination under unchanged air and humidity conditions. The germination increased the crude protein, total lipid, reducing sugars, essential amino acids (EAA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, but decreased the total ash, total carbohydrate and saturated fatty acids. After germinating for 48 h, the total EAA and polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased by 5.22% and 3.66%, respectively, as compared to those of ungerminated buckwheat. The total phenolics and flavonoids contents of both free and bound phenolic extracts of germinated buckwheat were also significantly higher than those of ungerminated buckwheat. The rutin content was found to gradually increase during germination, whereas the quercetin content was the highest in the 36 h‐germinated buckwheat (0.26 mg g −1 flour). Therefore, germinated buckwheat is considered as a potential material for producing healthy functional foods.