Recently, there has an increased focus on the isolation, chemical properties and bioactivities of polysaccharides from buckwheat (Fagopyrum Mill), which is a member of the Polygonaceae family. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies have shown that polysaccharides are important biologically-active components of buckwheat, with numerous biological activities, including antioxidant, antitumor, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive and hypoglycemic effects. The purpose of this mini-review is to appraise available literature describing the extraction, separation, purification, structural characterization and biological activities of polysaccharides isolated from buckwheat. This mini-review also provides a foundation for the further investigation, production and application of buckwheat polysaccharides as functional foods and therapeutic agents.
Keywords: Biological activity; Extraction; Fagopyrum Mill; Polysaccharides; Structural characterization.
Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.