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).     

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.     

Evaluation of selected food characteristics of three advanced lines of Nigerian soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)

The seeds of three promising advanced lines of soybeans (TGx 923-2^EN, TGx 1019-2^EN and TGx 1497-1^D) which were part of a larger collection evaluated in agronomic field trials in Nigeria were selected for characterization of physicochemical properties, chemical composition, water absorption, cooking time and cooked texture as a function of soaking and cooking. Seed density, leached solids, swelling capacity and seed coat percentage were within a range of 1.15 to 1.26 g per ml, 1.00 to 1.26 g per 100 g, 80.25 to 84.35 g per 100 g and 6.6 to 10.1% w/w of dry beans, respectively. The total polyphenol content of the cream colored beans was similar (0.75 to 0.76 mg/g) but higher than the amount (0.60 mg/g) found in the white beans. Cooking times varied between 71 and 96 min without soaking and were reduced by about 32.0% following a presoaking treatment in water for 12 hours at room temperature (28±1°C). Small seeds absorbed higher amounts of water during soaking and required less cooking time than larger seeds. Unsoaked beans required 40 min of cooking to achieve the same degree of cooked texture as the soaked beans cooked for 20 min, suggesting that cooking times and cooked texture for all lines were improved through soaking.     

Tannin contents and protein digestibility of black grams (Vigna mungo) after soaking and cooking

The objective of this research was to ascertain the effects of soaking black grams (Cultivar AARI-5732)in different salt solutions at different temperatures and different timeperiods, and different methods of cooking on the tannin content and proteindigestibility. Tannin content of black grams was reduced to variousextents by soaking at 30^° and 100 ^°C for different timeperiods. However, soaking at 100 ^°C increased the rate ofextraction and reduced the extraction time of tannins. Soaking black gramsin water at 100 ^°C reduced tannins by 22.14% in 45 minuteswhereas about 2.5 times more tannin was reduced after soaking in sodiumbicarbonate solution with or without sodium chloride. Maximumimprovement in protein digestibility was also observed after soaking blackgrams in sodium bicarbonate solution. Tannin contents were furtherreduced along with improvement in protein digestibility as a result ofcooking.     

Trypsin inhibitor in moth bean: thermal stability and changes during germination and cooking

Trypsin inhibitor from moth bean was studied for thermal stability and changes during germination and cooking. The application of dry heat did not inactivate the inhibitor. However, autoclaving at 120°C at 15lbs pressure destroyed inhibitor activity completely. The extracted inhibitor lost 70% activity in 60 min when incubated at 100°C. Soaking of moth bean seeds for 8 h decreased trypsin inhibitor activity by 20%. The germination of seeds for 24 h resulted in 70% reduction in inhibitor activity. No activity was detected in 48 h germinated seeds. Germination (for 24 h) followed by cooking of moth bean seeds destroyed the trypsin inhibitor completely.     

Effects of cooking,germination and fermentation on the chemical composition of Nigerian Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

The effects of cooking, germination, and fermentation on the chemical composition of cowpea were studied. There were noticeable trends in the protein, carbohydrate and crude fiber as a result of the different treatments. Both the germinated and fermented samples contained more ether extractable lipids than the raw and cooked samples. Untreated raw cowpea contained 5.9 mg/g phytic acid, 1.66 mg/g phytate phosphorus, 3.3 mg/g total phosphorus, 56.8 mg/g total sugar, and no reducing sugar. Cooking the dry beans at 100°C for 1 1/2 hours had little effect on the phytic acid and phytate phosphorus. There were, however, significant decreases in total phosphorus and sugars of the cooked beans. After germination for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, there was a significant decrease in phytic acid and total sugar and increase in total phosphorus and reducing sugar. Similar results were also obtained when the dry beans was fermented for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively.     

Effects of altitude above sea level on the cooking time and nutritional value of common beans

The present study was conducted with the objective to determine the effects of altitude above sea level, on the cooking time and nutritional value of common black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). Three 100 g samples of theOstua variety were cooked at 8 individual locations, ranging in altitude from 0 to 2256 meters, in Guatemala, to establish water uptake and cooking time. The cooked samples were separated into cooked beans and cooking broth for chemical analysis. This included moisture, protein, lysine, tannins, total and enzyme susceptible starch, and fiber fractionation. The cooking liquor was analyzed for total solids, moisture, protein, ash and K. A 1200 g sample was cooked for the cooking time established previously, for biological testing of nutritional value,which included Net Protein Ratio (NPR), Protein Effciency Ratio (PER), and protein digestibility. Altitude influenced cooking time which increased from 78 min at 0 m, to 264 min at 2256 m. Final moisture content in the cooked bean was similar at all altitudes and there was a tendency to yield smaller amounts of solids in the cooking broth at higher altitudes. The increase in cooking time was significant. Bean water uptake at all times was significantly slower and smaller at ambient T, as compared to water uptake at boiling T, at all altitudes. Protein and lysine content were not affected by altitude, however, tannin and catechin were lower in cooked samples, as compared to the raw material. Altitude did not affect the content of these substances. Total starch and total sugars were higher in the raw sample, as compared to the cooked samples, but there was no effect of altitude. Enzyme susceptible starch (ESS) was lower in the raw sample as compared to the cooked samples, which contained similar amounts with respect to altitude. No change was observed in fiber fractions of the cooked beans. Likewise, the composition of the cooking broth was very similar between cooking locations. There was a small tendency to a lower protein quality, with respect to altitude, the effect of which was more obvious in the apparent protein digestibility values. Undercooking or overcooking at one location influenced protein quality values. The extended cooking time of beans at high altitudes, has important economic and environmental implications, since significant amounts of wood have to be used.     

Influence of hardening procedure and soaking solution on cooking quality of common beans

Two common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties were seeded in the same location, harvested and cleaned. Three hardening procedures were used (soaking in acetate buffer, pH 4.1 at 37°C for 5 h; storage at 37°C, 100% RH for 28 days; and storage at 31–33°C, 76% RH for 120 days) to have seeds in a hard-to-cook (HTC) state. The adverse effects of HTC condition, in terms of cooking time as assessed by a Mattson bean cooker, were practically eliminated by soaking seeds in salt solutions (1% NaCl+0.75% NaHCO₃; and 0.75% NaHCO₃) instead of only water. Ultrastructural changes of cotyledon cells from fresh, HTC and softened seeds were observed. Results of this study may be used for the development of a technological procedure to utilize properly HTC beans generated by unefficient storage systems.     

Effect of domestic processing,cooking and germination on the trypsin inhibitor activity and tannin content of faba bean (Vicia faba)

The effects of domestic processing methods like soaking for 12 h dehulling, ordinary cooking of whole as well as dehulled seeds at 151bs/inch² pressure for 15 and 25 min, and germination for 24, 36 and 48 h were observed on trypsin inhibitor (TIA) and tannin content of two varieties of faba bean viz. VH-131 and WF. A non-significant reduction in TIA was observed on soaking and dehulling, while tannins showed a reduction of 42 and 51% on soaking in VH 131 and WF, respectively. Dehulled seeds showed a decline in tannin content by 70 to 73% in two varieties. There was a significant reduction in TIA (75–76 per cent) and tannin (76–81%) on cooking, while autoclaving for 25 min almost completely eliminated both of these stress factors. Germination of seeds for 48 h led to a reduction of 64–65% in TIA and 90–91% in tannins, which was more than germination for 24 and 36 h. Soaked seeds gave positive results of both these antinutrients.     

Influence of protein content on spaghetti cooking quality

Water sorption tests on three different types of laboratory-made spaghettis were conducted at 100 °C to study the influence of protein content on hydration kinetics during cooking and overcooking and on quality characteristics. In particular, the weight, diameter and length of spaghetti strands were monitored over a 20 min period. The different hydration behaviours of the spaghettis were analyzed using a mathematical model that quantitatively resolved the hydration process into the controlling factors (i.e. water diffusion, macromolecular matrix relaxation kinetics, and ‘residual deformation’ release kinetics). Only small differences were observed within the range of protein contents (12.7–15.5%) investigated. In particular, spaghetti stickiness decreased as protein content increased. Moreover, samples with intermediate protein contents showed the highest water diffusion coefficients.     

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.     

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.     

Cotyledon thermal behavior and pectic solubility as related to cooking quality in common beans

The characteristic of proteins, starch and pectic substances in cotyledons of two bean cultivars varying in cooking time were determined to investigate their possible contribution to bean cooking quality. Both cultivars showed the same enthalpies of starch gelatinization but different protein denaturation enthalpies. The proportion of hot water soluble pectins was higher in Michigan, the cultivar with the lower cooking time, than in Ojo de Cabra, the cultivar with the higher cooking time. These results were not due to differences in pectin methylation or in the ratio of monovalent to divalent cations in the tissue, suggesting that in fresh beans the β-elimination reaction is not the sole or predominant route of thermal pectin degradation. Overall, this study indicates that varietal differences in bean cooking quality may be reflections of the rate of pectin loss during soaking/heating and that the thermal properties of starch and protein fractions seem to have a minor contribution. Researchers involved in this study propose that in fresh beans, the thermal pectin loss results from a two step mechanism: pectin enzymic breakdown during the bean soaking followed by thermal solubilization rather than β-elimination during the bean heating.     

The effect of slow-cooking on the trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinating activities and in vitro digestibility of brown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris,var.Stella) and kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris,var.Montcalm)

Brown beans and kidney beans were subjected to two modes of cooking in a household slow cooker: (A), a fixed low setting for 10 h, and (B), a high setting for 2.5 h and a low setting for 7.5 h. Temperature changes in the beans were recorded. With treatment A over 90% of the hemagglutinating and trypsin inhibitor activities occurred after 6 h at which time the temperature had reached 80°C. With treatment B inactivation of these activities was almost complete at the end of 2 h when a maximum temperature of 100°C had been attained. The in vitro digestibility of the bean protein was considerably increased by either treatment. By way of contrast, only 20 min of heating was required to destroy these activities when the beans were brought to a boil in an open vessel.     

Tannins,Trypsin Inhibitors and Lectin Cytotoxicity in Tepary (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus acutifolius</Emphasis>) and Common (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis>) Beans

This study compared the levels of antinutritional components and cytotoxic effect of extracts, from tepary (Phaseolus acutifolius) and common (Phaseolus vulgaris) beans. Antinutritional factors were evaluated by determining their effect on the viability of epithelial cells isolated from rat small intestine. The protein and carbohydrates content were similar in all the genotypes studied (20 and 60%, respectively). Common beans presented higher content of trypsin inhibitors, tannins and lectins than tepary beans. There was not a significant correlation between tannins and cooking time. However, water absorption and cooking time correlated significantly (p < 0.05). Considerable variation was observed in lectin activity (1302–18161 Ul/mg) of extracts from different beans. Tannins, lectins, trypsin inhibitors and fat content differed between bean varieties whereas protein content was similar. The percent cellularity on rat epithelial cells was significantly different among protein extracts from different bean cultivars and ranged between 53.5% and 87.4% (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the incorporation of tepary beans in the diet would not alter the current nutritional contribution of common beans or introduce adverse toxic effects. The agronomic characteristics of tepary beans make them attractive for cultivation. However, the harder to cook phenomenon may be a limiting factor that needs further consideration.     

Effect of heat treatment on the proximate composition,energy values,and levels of some toxicants in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) seed varieties

The effects of heat treatments on the proximate composition, energy content, and levels of some antinutritional factors in brown and marble-colored African yam bean (AYB) seed flours were investigated. In raw brown and marble-colored AYB seed flours; moisture content, dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, ash, total carbohydrate and caloric value did not differ significantly at the 5% level. Autoclaving and cooking slightly increased the moisture level. Crude protein, crude fat, and ash contents were decreased by autoclaving and were further decreased by cooking. The decrease was not, however, considerable for the AYB that is not eaten raw and whose full nutritional potential as a legume can be derived only when heat treated, as previous reports have indicated for legume seeds.The levels of the toxicants were generally higher in the raw brown AYB compared to the marble-colored, and were generally reduced by both autoclaving and cooking. In the most commonly available and consumed marble-colored AYB, autoclaving at 121 ^°C, 15 psi for 20 min decreased cyanogenic glycosides by 46%, oxalate by 48.9%, tannin by 15.0%, saponin by 14.8% and trypsin inhibitors by 61.3% while cooking for 3.5 hours in tap water decreased these toxic factors by 66.5%, 70.3%, 72.2%, 48.7%, and 86.0%, respectively.The results indicate that for raw samples, varietal difference did not significantly affect nutrient composition though the toxicants were generally higher in the brown AYB than the marble-colored. Autoclaving decreased both nutrient value and the level of toxicants in the two seed types; values were further reduced by cooking. Of the toxicants, trypsin inhibitor was found to be the most heat-labile and of the heat treatment methods, cooking to tenderness is recommendable.     

A new method to determine viscoelastic properties of corn grits during cooking and drying

The working principles and the theoretical background of a new method to measure the viscoelastic properties of grains during cooking and drying processes are presented. Specifically, corn grits at different processing stages of cooking and drying were chosen as the model grain and their viscoelastic characteristics, namely elastic stiffness and viscous damping, were determined. During the measurements grits were squeezed between a rigid bottom plate and a top round element oscillating at random frequencies in a range 10–10,000 rad/s. A frequency response of the mechanical impedance of the samples, which is defined as the ratio between the force applied to the samples and the oscillation velocity, was obtained. Corn grits were measured in their raw state, after cooking in a pressure cooker for different times (2, 7, 15, 30, and 60 min), and at different times of drying (30, 60, and 120 min) at 65 °C. The measured mechanical impedances of the samples showed that rheological changes upon processing can be monitored by the newly developed method. Non-destructive and quick measurements, data covering a wide range of frequencies, and the adaptability of the method to be used with available instruments used in texture measurement such as texture analyzers are some of the important advantages that the new method provides to the area of cereal processing.     

Effects of heat treatments on trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinating activities in winged bean

The effect of different heat treatments on inactivation of trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinin of winged bean was investigated. Trypsin inhibitor extracted from winged bean meal was stable at 60 °C for 60 min. At 80 °C, the activity of the extracted inhibitor decreased by 25% within 5 min, and continued to decline gradually to a loss of 45% of activity after 30 min. When the extracted inhibitor was incubated at 100 °C, it exhibited a triphasic pattern of inactivation. The winged bean extract incubated at 60 °C lost 60% of its hemaggluinating activity within 30 min. At 80 °C, there was a complete loss of activity within 5 min. The microwave treatment to winged bean meal had no effect on trypsin inhibitor or hemagglutinating activities in the meal. However, infrared treatment to winged bean seeds for 60 seconds was effective in destroying most of the trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinating activities. Autoclave treatment (120 °C at 15 lb pressure) for 10 min inactivated trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinin in winged bean meal almost completely. Cooking of presoaked beans in boiling water for 30 min was effective in destroying most of the trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinating activities.     

Milling and cooking of hybrid sorghum grain

Fourteen commercial hybrid cultivars of sorghum grain were examined for physical characteristics before and after being milled by abrasion. Milling to 10% total loss in weight resulted in the pigments in the pericarp being effectively removed but colour spots on the hilar and germ remained on most cultivars and the testa was exposed on some cultivars. Milling showed that the cultivars were of varying degrees of hardness but all gave >80% yield of unbroken kernels with the germ attached. The milled grains were boiled like rice but the cooking time was high for all cultivars (range 57–64 min) although the water uptake and swelling of the cooked grain was satisfactory and the solids lost during cooking was low.     

Impact of proteins on pasting and cooking properties of waxy and non-waxy rice

Changes of RVA viscosity and texture properties of waxy rice (n=9) and non-waxy rice (n=10) were analyzed through protein removal or disulfide bond disruption. Protease or DTT had similar effects on the pasting behavior of the waxy rice, but affected differently that of non-waxy rice. For all waxy rice flour treated with DTT or protease, the peak, breakdown and consistency viscosity values all significantly decreased, and the viscosity curves barely rose from the baseline. Pre-incubation of flours with a protease increased RVA pasting temperatures, decreased viscosities along all the points of the curves and the slopes of the linear parts of the curves for all non-waxy cultivars. DTT decreased RVA pasting temperatures and peak viscosities of all non-waxy flour, but increased breakdown viscosities in six non-waxy rice cultivars. With DTT-added cooking water, the hardness of cooked waxy and non-waxy rice, as determined by Instron, generally decreased. With DTT-added cooking water, the adhesiveness of all cooked waxy rice significantly decreased, while it increased significantly or remained the same in all cooked non-waxy rice. The above results indicated that the protein agent of a network linked by disulfide bonds increased the RVA gelatinized paste rigidity, the hardness and adhesiveness of cooked rice of all waxy cultivars, while in non-waxy cultivars, both the network and the increase of the gelatinized paste concentrations resulting from protein hydration contributed to the enhancements of the RVA paste rigidity and the cooked rice hardness.