Analysis of Flavonoid Content and Key Gene Expressions in Sprout and Seedling of Tartary Buckwheat

Abstract:

Objective To reveal the dynamic changes of flavonoids secondary metabolites and relevant genes expressions in the process of germination of tartary buckwheat seeds by investigating the content of catechins，epicatechins，rutin，and quercetin，and the expressions of their relevant genes in tartary buckwheat sprouts and seedlings，in order to provide scientific basis for the selection of high-quality, high-nutrition tartary buckwheat sprouts. Method Contents of catechin，epicatechin，rutin，and quercetin in tartary buckwheat sprouts and seedlings were detected by UPLC-ESI-QQQ-MS，and the expression levels of genes relating to flavonoids synthesis in tartary buckwheat sprouts and seedlings were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Result There were differences between tartary buckwheat sprouts and seedlings in the relative contents of catechin，epicatechin，rutin and quercetin，as well as the expressions of relevant genes in the synthesis pathway, including FtPAL，FtC4H，Ft4CL，FtCHS，FtCHI，FtF3H，FtF3'H，FtFLS，FtDFR，FtLAR，FtANS，FtANR. The contents of flavonoids and the expressions of relevant genes in tartary buckwheat sprouts were higher than those in tartary buckwheat seedlings. Conclusion The higher accumulation of secondary metabolites and flavonoids in tartary buckwheat sprouts may be related to tartary buckwheat seeds' resistance to the external environment in the initial growth stage of germination. From the perspective of application，there are more flavonoids in tartary buckwheat sprouts than in tartary buckwheat seedlings, indicating that tartary buckwheat sprouts have a higher nutritional value.