Quick-cooking beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): I. Investigations on quality

Soaking three beans cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Great Northern, kidney, and pinto) in mixed salt solution (sodium chloride 2.5% + sodium bicarbonate 1.5% + sodium tripolyphosphate 1.0% + sodium carbonate 0.5%) resulted in 80%–85% reduction in cooking time over corresponding controls. Irradiation (-rays) at 500 krads of soaked and dehydrated beans caused a reduction of nearly 50% in cooking time. Water uptake and leaching losses for each treatment during soaking at 22°, 37°, and 45°C were investigated. High temperature (37° and 45°C) and pH (9.0) caused greater water imbibition and total solid loss than at room temperature (22°C). Organoleptic evaluation revealed that quick-cooking Great Northern beans appear to be more acceptable than kidney and pinto beans. Quick-cooking cooked beans had better in vitro protein digestibility than conventionally cooked beans. Phenolic content was found to be inversely related to in vitro digestibility.Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Journal article no. 2481.     

Blanching of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Experiments with one and two steps blanching of green beans have been carried out. Inactivation of the peroxydase requires more heating than inactivation of the enzymes which gives rise to off flavour from aldehydes. When blanching for about one minute to inactivate lipoxygenase, aldehyde formation of flavour ceases. The content of vitamin C decreases during blanching according to a first order reaction. Since considerable loss of vitamin C occurs during blanching, the treatment time should be reduced to a minimum. During preblanching at 65–75 °C and final blanching, chlorophyll is degraded to pheophytin and the surface colour expressed by the Hunter-values (–a/b) increases with time which means that the colour of the beans changes from green to yellow. The firmness of beans, which was measured by use of a tenderometer, decreases during blanching according to a first order reaction with 40 kcal/mole activation energy. Preblanching at 65–75 °C increases the firmness of the beans linearly with treatment time. This increase in firmness is stable after final blanching at 95 °C and even after thawing of frozen beans.     

Interrelationships between certain physical and chemical properties of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The interrelationships among certain physical and chemical properties of ten cultivars of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were investigated. The length/breadth ratio was similar (1.51–1.65) except for kidney beans (>2.0) and sanilac (1.37) cultivars. The breadth/thickness ratio ranged from 1.17–1.65. The 100-bean weight indicated a wide variation of 15.03–50.33 g. The density, bulk density, and porosity characteristics were within a narrow range of 1.18–1.36 g/cc, 68–75 g/100 cc, and 40.7–48.5%, respectively. Water uptake rates during the first 6 h of soaking at room temperature (21 °C) were characteristic of the cultivar. At the end of 24-h soaking, however, all cultivars had absorbed similar amounts of water (approximately 1 g/g bean). Leaching losses (g solids leached/100 g beans) had characteristic trends and ranged from 0.54 for cranberry to 3.46 for sanilac cultivars after 24-h soaking. Most correlations between selected chemical constituents and physical characteristics of the dry bean were relatively low.Journal Paper No. 2751 of Utah Agricultural Experiment Station and a contribution of Western Regional Project W-150.     

Water uptake during cooking of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Water uptake during cooking of ten dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties was investigated. Water uptake during early stages of cooking was characteristic of the variety. Although the optimal cooking times varied widely (52–85 min), all the beans absorbed similar amounts of water when cooked for their optimal times. Cooking times were significantly correlated with W_{20 min} (r=–0.92) and hardness index (r=0.76) of beans. Most other physical characteristics excepting the surface area of beans were generally unrelated to theW _{20 min},W _opt, and cooking times. No significant correlation was observed between phytate content and cooking times of beans. On cooking for their respective optimal times, all varieties absorbed nearly 1.5 times their weight of water and attained a moisture content of about 65% (wet basis).     

Comparative study of the chemical composition of wild and cultivated beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Five wildPhaseolus vulgaris beans were compared with five cultivatedPhaseolus vulgaris beans in proximate composition, total (true) protein, amino acid composition, and toxic and antinutritional factors. The wild beans contained more protein (25.5% vs. 21.7%), ash (5.15 vs. 4.15%), crude fiber (7.08% vs. 5.04%) compared to cultivated beans while the former contained less fat (0.56 vs. 0.89%) and carbohydrates (61.64 vs. 68.05%). Sulfur amino acids were found to be limiting in both groups of bean as expected; however, the cultivated beans had a higher content of the limiting amino acids. Therefore, the cultivated beans showed a better amino acid profile than the wild beans. Toxic factors were not found in either type of bean; the determinations included saponins, alkaloids, and cyanogenic glycosides. The antinutritional factors investigated were hemagglutinins (lectins) and trypsin inhibitors. The wild beans presented a higher content of trypsin inhibitors (28 TUI per mg) and lectins (9.6) than the cultivated beans did (21 TUI per mg and 7 respectively). From the chemical point of view, domestication seems to be positive; however, the better protein nutritive quality of the cultivated beans should be further confirmed by biological assays.     

Changes in dietary fiber content and its composition as affected by processing of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris,Tamazulapa variety)

This paper presents the effect that the traditional cooking process of black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, Tamazulapa variety) has on the quantity and composition of soluble (SDF) and insoluble (IDF) dietary fiber of beans, as well as on its protein digestibility and protein quality. There was an increase of IDF from 18.1% in cooked beans to 22.4% in fried beans, and a decrease in SDF from 8.4% to 6.6%, respectively. Starch content decreased from 34.5% to 31.3%. No change was found in lignin. The xylose content was higher in IDF than in SDF and decreased to some extent from cooked to fried beans. Arabinose content was similar in IDF and SDF with no change caused by processing. The fraction containing glucose, mannose and galactose in IDF was higher than in SDF, the content increasing in IDF and decreasing in SDF, with processing. Protein content in IDF was higher than in SDF, with no major change when processing. About 29.5% of the total protein of beans was bound in DF. Protein digestibility and protein quality decreased from cooked to fried beans and was positively related to IDF.     

Quick-cooking beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): II. Phytates,oligosaccharides, and antienzymes

Effects of the quick-cooking processes on phytate and oligosaccharide levels, and on trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, were investigated in three bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Great Northern, red kidney, and pinto). Beans soaked in distilled water had lower levels of phytate-P than those soaked in a mixed salt solution. Leaching losses of oligosaccharides were nearly the same in different soaking treatments for all the beans except kidney beans. Residual trypsin inhibitor activities (TIA) in cooked quick-cooking beans were about 10% compared with about 20% for chymotrypsin inhibitor activities (CTIA) in the same bean products. -Irradiation was more effective in reducing TIA than CTIA and paralleled destruction by moist heat.Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Journal article no. 2480.     

Quality attributes of three new improved lines of Nigerian lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus L. Walp.)

Three promising new improved lines of lima beans (Tpl 1^B, Tpl 7^A and Tpl 175^A) were evaluated for physicochemical properties and cooking quality. The beans varied in seed dimensions and weights with Tpl 1^B and Tpl 7^A having smaller seed volume than Tpl 175^A. Seed coat percentages, leached solids and swelling capacities were within a range of 10.2–19.6% (w/w), 0.44–0.92 g/100 g and 94.0–121.0 g/100 g dry bean, respectively. Cooking times varied between 62 and 81 min without soaking and were reduced by about 34%following a presoaking treatment in water for 12 h at room temperature (28 ± 1 °C). Small seeds absorbed higher amounts of water during soaking and required more cooking time than larger seeds. No significant (p>0.05) difference in cooked texture was found between unsoaked beans cooked for 50 min and soaked beans cooked for 30 min,suggesting that cooking times and cooked texture for all lines were improved through soaking.     

Nutritive value evaluated on rats of new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) released in Chile

Five new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) recently released were analyzed for their proximate chemical composition and protein biological quality. The crude protein content in these cultivars ranged from 21.9 percent in cultivar Arroz 3 to 26.9 percent in cultivar Tórtola Diana (dry matter basis). Rats fed cultivar Tórtola INIA gained more weight, had a higher protein intake and registered higher PER and NPR than Tórtola corriente. On the other hand, rats consuming cultivars Arroz 3 and Fleetwood had lower weight gain, lower protein intake and lower PER and NPR than cultivar Coscorrón corriente. However, all these cultivars have a relatively good protein value as compared to other plant protein sources.     

The nutritional quality and toxin content of wild and cultivated lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus)

Proximal analysis, amino acid profile, trypsin inhibitor content, hemagglutinin content and HCN generated from cyanogenic glucosides were determined in four wild and three cultivated varieties ofPhaseolus lunatus. All the wild beans showed a higher protein content than the cultivated beans, but no big differences were found in the other nutrients. The essential amino acid percentage was higher in the cultivated beans than in the wild seeds, which was reflected in the PER determination. The most remarkable difference found between wild and cultivated beans was the high concentration of HCN in all wild varieties. The high concentration of protein found in the wild seed could be a false result from the nitrogen provided by the cyanogenic glucosides.     

Preparation and antinutritional characteristics of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) protein concentrates

Protein concentrates and starches were prepared by a wet extraction process from five dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars. The protein contents ranged from 69.7–76.4%. Concentrates prepared from dehulled beans under similar conditions had higher protein contents (80.6–87.9%). Each additional washing of the concentrates with distilled water increased their protein content. However, the protein recovery progressively decreased. The yield of starch ranged from 48.0–51.1% of the starting material. The solubility of bean proteins was minimal at pH 4.0, and under alkaline conditions, it was influenced by the tannin contents of the concentrates. Protein concentrates had lower trypsin, chymotrypsin, and amylase inhibitory activities as well as lower phytic acid and tannin contents compared to whole bean flours.     

Development of an owoh-type product from African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) (Hoechst (ex. A. Rich.) Harms.) seeds by solid substrate fermentation

African yam beans were fermented to obtain anowoh-type product. Microorganisms associatedwith the fermentation were Bacilluslicheniformis, B. pumilus, B. subtilis and Staphylococcus sp. Total microbial counts increasedfrom 1.53 × 10⁵cfu/g to 1.51 × 10⁹cfu/g under aerobic conditions, and from 8.0 × 10³cfu/g to 1.35 × 10⁷ cfu/g under conditions ofreduced oxygen tension. The pH of the substrateincreased throughout the fermentation, from 6.8 to7.5. A comparison of unfermented seeds with thefermented product showed that there were decreases inthe levels of total nitrogen, crude protein, crudefiber and lipids, and that there were increases in thelevels of carbohydrate and total organic matter.Enzyme activities during fermentation revealed thatamylase production was erratic showing a slightincrease during the first 24 h followed by a steeprise in activity in the next 24 h. By contrast, lipaseactivity increased rapidly throughout the first 72 hwhile proteinase activity followed a type of sigmoidcurve with a steady increase in activity within thefirst 48 h and a relatively high activity until the96^th h before plunging downwards.     

Tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius var. latifolius): a potential food source for African and Middle Eastern cultures

Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius var. latifolius), a native North American legume adapted to arid/semiarid lands was partially evaluated as a potential food source for people of African and Middle Eastern regions. To indicate the acceptability of these pulses, traditional Nigerian and Saudi Arabian foodstuffs were formulated with teparies substituted for beans commonly used in these regions. Organoleptic evaluation of these food products by students native to the area of recipe origin indicated the dishes to be moderately to highly acceptable. Chemical analyses of this species revealed tepary beans to be very similar in proximate composition, amino acid profile and content of various minerals to other grain legumes (cowpeas, chickpeas and fava beans) of the African/Middle Eastern region. Protein contents of tepary samples averaged 23.0%, whereas protein quality was found limiting in sulfur amino acids. Laboratory examination of raw tepary samples for antinutritional factors uncovered levels of flatulent oligo saccharides, trypsin inhibitors and phytic acid commonly associated with grain legumes. However, lectin assays revealed greater agglutination associated with tepary composites than in fava, chickpea and cowpea samples. All bean samples were simmered resulting in fully cooked materials which exhibited low levels of nutritional antagonists. Cooked beans were considered safe and nutritionally acceptable.Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Paper No. 3814.     

Comparative study of enzymes related to proline metabolism in tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under drought and irrigated conditions,and various urea concentrations

There are several mechanisms used by plants for survival in adverse environments such as drought, high temperature and salinity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the drought tolerance of tepary bean as a function of biochemical processes linked to isozyme synthesis and changes in enzymatic activity related to proline metabolism. Mature seeds of common beans var. flor de mayo, Phaseolus vulgaris and tepary beans Phaseolus acutifolius were grown under two water conditions (irrigation and drought), and four levels of urea. Vertical electrophoresis and spectrophotometric techniques were used to evaluate protein patterns, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), proline oxidase (PO) and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5C reductase) enzyme activities. These enzymes were studied because they are directly related to protein synthesis. Electrophoretic patterns showed more proteins in tepary beans than in common beans with limited irrigation. GDH showed only one isozyme, with a molecular weight between 240 to 270 kDa. A decrease in PO activity was observed in common beans under drought stress with a value of 237 mol/min, in comparison to irrigation conditions of 580 mol/min. GDH and P5C reductase enzymes have had higher activity in common beans than in tepary beans under water stress. There was a significant difference only in glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme with respect to urea level. The results suggest that drought tolerance of tepary beans is due to biochemical processes related to proline metabolic enzymes.     

The complete elimination of vicine and convicine from the faba beans by combinations of genetic selection and processing techniques

Out of sixty six faba bean (Vicia faba) cultivars and genotypes grown locally in Egypt and in Syria, the genotype 123 A/45/76 proved to be lowest in its vicine and convicine contents. Furthermore, soaking of this bean variety in 1% acetic acid at 40°C for 48 h resulted in reducing the total vicine and convicine contents of the beans by 90%. Home-made faba beans processing including soaking prior to cooking as in the case of bean cakes resulted in considerable reduction of the vicine and convicine contents by 56 and 34% respectively.     

Influence of insecticidal plant materials used during storage on sensory attributes and instrumental hardness of dry edible beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Three plant products with known insecticidal properties, a dry extract of flowers ofChrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Trevir.) Vis. produced in Rwanda, an ethanol extract of seeds of neem,Azadirachta indica A. Juss., and crushed leaves ofTetradenia riparia Hochst Codd., a traditional Rwandan medicine, were mixed with beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L., for storage protection. These plant-protected beans were compared with off the shelf beans that were being sold to consumers by the Rwandan National Agricultural Products Marketing Organization (OPROVIA). A trained sensory panel determined that beans treated with neem andC. cinerariaefolium were as acceptable after 8 months storage as those being sold throughout Rwanda by the marketing organization. Beans marketed by this organization were all treated with the standard insecticide application in Rwanda, 0.01% weight/weight pirimiphos methyl in a powder formulation. Instrumental hardness (% hard-to-cook/mean gram force) after 20 months of storage was acceptable for beans stored with neem or withC. cinerariaefolium or with the conventional government application of pirimiphos methyl. Use of either neem orC. cinerariaefolium for storage protection should not affect consumer acceptance of dry beans.     

Physical Properties of Extruded Products from Three Mexican Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars

The physical properties of extruded products from three Mexican common bean cultivars were investigated. Common bean cultivars Flor de Mayo, Pinto Villa and Bayo Victoria from the same harvesting season (2006) were used in this work. Beans were milled and the flour was hydrated to 24, 26 and 28 g of water/100 g of dry weight. Two temperatures, 130 degrees C and 165 degrees C at the end of the extruder barrel without die, were experimented. Common bean flour extrudates were evaluated for water absorption index (WAI), water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and emulsifying capacity (EC). Flor de Mayo extrudates showed the highest WAC and WAI values. Thus starch from Flor de Mayo beans showed minor restricted water availability. In all cases, the OAC of extruded products was lower than the crude bean flour. The EC for Bayo Victoria flour increased as a consequence of the extrusion process. The EC for Flor de Mayo was higher at lower temperature and lower moisture content than Pinto Villa and Bayo Victoria beans. EC behavior of Pinto Villa was similar to Bayo cultivar. These results indicate that it is possible to produce new extruded products with good physical properties from these common bean cultivars.     

Antinutritional factors in anasazi and other pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Antinutritional factors of anasazi bean were compared to traditional pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Anasazi beans contained less (p<0.001) soluble and bound condensed tannins compared to pinto beans. No differences (p>0.05) in stachyose and raffinose content were found between the two bean types; verbascose was not detected at all. Significant (p<0.05) differences in lectin content were observed between anasazi and pinto bean. The lectins of anasazi beans were classified as non toxic and those of the pinto beans as toxic types. No differences (p>0.05) in inhibitor activity against human and bovine trypsin and chymotrypsin were found between the two bean types.     

Use of two varieties of hard-to-cook beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) in the processing of koki (a steamed legume product)

Koki is a nutritious cowpea-based food product usually processed by steam cooking whipped cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) paste mixed with spices and palm oil. A study was carried out to investigate the effect of the partial replacement of cowpeas (CP) with hard-to-cook (HTC) beans on the chemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics of koki. Towards this objective, two varieties of beans – Phaseolus vulgaris (red kidney beans – RKB and mottled brown beans – MBB), each with the HTC defect, were separately incorporated into cowpea paste in the following Bean:CP ratios 0:100, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50, 60:40 and processed into koki. Incorporation of dry HTC beans into cowpeas in the making of koki affected the bulking properties of the uncooked paste, the nutrient composition, essential amino acid content, antinutritional factors, digestibility as well as the sensory attributes of cooked koki. Sensory tests showed that a highly acceptable, nutritious and digestible koki can be processed from cowpeas partially replaced with dry HTC bean paste up to levels of about 40–50% depending on the variety of dry bean used.     

Conversion of starch from dry common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to ethanol

Dry common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were evaluated for potential conversion of starch to ethanol. Eight varieties of beans with average starch content of 46% (db) were assayed in a laboratory-scaled process based upon the commercial corn dry grind fermentation process. Ethanol yield was 0.43-0.51 g ethanol/g glucose (0.19-0.23 g ethanol/g beans). The average ethanol yield for the eight bean types was 92% of maximum theoretical yield, demonstrating that starch from beans could be efficiently converted to ethanol. Ethanol concentration obtained from 20% (w/w) solids loading was 3.5-4.4% (w/v). The residual fermentation solids contained, on a dry basis, 37.1-43.6% crude protein, 10.8-15.1% acid detergent fiber and 19.1-31.3% neutral detergent fiber.