Studies on Amylolytic Activity in Germinating Buck Wheat [Fagopyrum esculentum Moench Seeds

The study investigated total amylases, alpha and beta amylase activity alongwith moisture content in Buckwheat seeds [Fagopyrum esculentum Moench], germinated in dark at room temperature. High level amyolytic activity was found during different stages of seed germination. Result showed that the moisture content increased from 10% to 40% during 0 to 192 hours of seed germination and the activity of amylases [total, alpha and beta amylase] increased up to 4^th day of germination followed by decrease in the activity till the 9^th day. The specific activity of total amylase and alpha amylase was highest [0.884 I.U./mg & 0.686 I.U./mg respectively] while beta amylase was found to exist in soluble form. The amylases showed high level of activity and during seed germination it has low Km & low Vmax.