Polygonum fagopyrum (Buckwheat) flour commonly known as buckwheat flour, is derived from the ground seeds of the buckwheat plant (Polygonum fagopyrum or Fagopyrum esculentum,plants belonging to the Polygonaceae family ). Despite its name, buckwheat is not a type of wheat and is gluten-free, making it suitable for gluten-free diets.
The name describes the structure of the ingredient
- "Polygonum fagopyrum" is the scientific name for the plant commonly known as buckwheat.
- "Flour" indicates that it's a powder resulting from the grinding of the seeds from this plant.
Description of raw materials used in production
The primary raw material is the buckwheat seed. These seeds are harvested from the buckwheat plant.
Extraction process
- Collection of seeds - Buckwheat seeds are harvested from mature plants.
- Cleaning - The seeds are cleaned to remove debris and impurities.
- Grinding - The cleaned seeds are ground to produce a fine powder, known as flour.
- Sifting - The flour is sifted to achieve a uniform consistency.
- Packaging - The buckwheat flour is packaged into sacks or suitable containers for sale.
What it is for and where
Cosmetics
Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
CAS 89958-09-8
EC number 289-631-2
Commercial applications
Culinary Uses
- Gluten-free Baking: Used as an alternative to wheat flour in bread, pancakes, noodles, and other baked goods, especially in gluten-free recipes.
- Nutty Flavor: Buckwheat flour has a distinctive, rich, and slightly nutty flavor.
- Nutrition: High in dietary fiber, protein, and contains essential amino acids. Also, it's a good source of minerals like magnesium and manganese.
Cosmetic Uses
- Exfoliant: Sometimes used in skincare products as a gentle physical exfoliant.
- Nutrient-rich: Its vitamins and minerals can nourish the skin.
Therapeutic Uses
- Heart Health: Some studies suggest buckwheat can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Blood Sugar Control: Buckwheat has a low glycemic index, which means it releases sugar slowly into the bloodstream.
Studies
Buckwheat, like barley and rice, has cardioprotective properties (1) and induces a sense of satiety even if it does not modify the high blood glucose values (2) in subjects with diabetes mellitus.
Health benefits attributed to Buckwheat (BW) include plasma cholesterol level reduction, neuroprotection, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic effects, and improvement of hypertension conditions. In addition, BW has been reported to possess prebiotic and antioxidant activities. In vitro and animal studies suggest that BW's bioactive compounds, such as D-chiro-inositol (DCI), BW proteins (BWP), and BW flavonoids (mainly rutin and quercetin) may be partially responsible for the observed effects. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent research regarding the health benefits of BW, in vitro and in vivo, focusing on the specific role of its bioactive compounds and on the mechanisms by which these effects are exerted (3).
