Abstract:

In order to optimize the culture conditions for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in germinated tartary
buckwheat under salt stress, the effects of NaCl content, germination time and germination temperature on the accumulation
of GABA during the germination of tartary buckwheat were explored by response surface methodology (RSM). Results
showed that the optimal conditions with salt stress for GABA accumulation in germinated tartary buckwheat were
determined as NaCl content of 34 mmol/L, germination time of 5 days and germination temperature of 31 ℃. Under the
optimal conditions, the predicted highest GABA yield of 250.06 μg/g DW was obtained. Analysis of variance and validation
experiments suggested that the proposed regression model was extremely significant (P < 0.01) with R2 of 0.961 1 and could
accurately predict the accumulation of GABA in germinated tartary buckwheat under salt stress. This study can provide the
theoretical basis for future development of GABA-rich tartary buckwheat-based foods.

Key words: tartary buckwheat, germination, salt stress, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation, response surface analysis