A compound that inhibited angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) activity was isolated from buckwheat powder. This compound is thought to be the hydroxy derivative of nicotianamine and its chemical structure is 2"-hydroxynicotianamine. This compound showed a very high inhibitory activity toward ACE, and the IC50 was 0.08 mu M. Only this hydroxy analog was found in buckwheat powder, at about 30 mg/100 g, and no nicotianamine was detected. However, nicotianamine was detected in the buckwheat plant body. 2"-hydroxynicotianamine was also found in other polygonaceous plants. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.