Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) low molecular weight seed proteins are restricted to the embryo and are not detectable in the endosperm

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) proteins are nutritionally important because of their high and balanced content of essential amino acids making their biological value much higher than that of cereal proteins. We analyzed extracts of buckwheat endosperm and embryo proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). On electropherograms of endosperm proteins, six intense bands were detected. Two most intense bands were in the range of molecular weights (M.W.s) from 50 to 60 kDa. Protein of 57 kDa has been shown not to cross-react against antibodies raised against proteins of M.W. ranging between 23 and 25 kDa. There are no reports about the allergenicity of other endosperm proteins. On the electropherogram of buckwheat endosperm no low M.W. proteins could be detected. In this study we have demonstrated the tissue specific presence of proteins of different size classes of the endosperm and embryo tissues.