Effect of Light Source on Organic Acid, Sugar, and Flavonoid Concentrations in Buckwheat

The major free sugars of buckwheat plants were fructose, glucose, and maltose but their contents and compositions were influenced by the different wavelength of light. Free sugar contents of Clfa 39 (Fagopyrum tataricum) were higher than those of Yangjul-maemil (Fagopyrum esculentum) regardless of the light sources. As treated with red and blue light, the free sugar contents in the leaves of buckwheat plants were slightly increased, but their contents in the stems and flowers were lower than those of natural light condition. Under the natural light condition, maltose was detected in every tissues of buckwheat plants, but as treated with blue and red light, it was not detected in the flowers of buckwheat plants. Citric, malic and acetic acid were detected as major organic acids in buckwheat plants. Red and blue lights decreased the total organic acid contents in buckwheat plants as compared with natural light condition. It was considered that blue light are less active than red light for the accumulation of organic acids. Tataric acid was detected only in the leaves of buckwheat plants, however, as treated with red and blue light, it was not detected in the leaves of Clfa 39. Flowers of Yangjul-maemil contained a considerable amount of rutin and quercitrin. Only small amount of quercitrin was detected in leaves, but it was not detected in stems. On the other hand, Clfa 39 leaves contained a considerable amount of rutin, quercetin and small amount of quercitrin, but quercitrin and quercetin were detected only in the stems of Clfa 39. Red and blue lights significantly decreased the contents of rutin, quercitrin, and quercetin in buckwheat plants as comparing with natural light condition. Rutin content in the flowers of Clfa 39 was increased under the red and blue light conditions.