EVALUATION OF DRUM-DRIED MEALS PREPARED FROM SPLIT BEANS (PHASEOLUS-VULGARIS L.) - PROTEIN-QUALITY AND SELECTED ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS

The effects of aqueous extraction and enzymatic pretreatments on the i n-vitro and in-vivo protein digestibilities and antinutritional factor s of drum-dried bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) meals were evaluated. The apparent protein digestibility of beans subjected to a 60C/30 min aqu eous extraction was approximately 86% which is comparable to or greate r than what is reported for canned beans. Likewise, the antinutritiona l factors Trypsin Inhibitor Activity (TIA) and lectins were either sig nificantly reduced or inactivated by the drum-drying process, as furth er supported by in-vivo rat feeding studies. The drum-drying process c an be a suitable alternative process for the traditional commercial ca nning of dry beans, providing economic utilization of dry split beans. Further, the resultant DDBMs find broader application as an ingredien t in convenient and nutritious food formulations such as weaning foods , baked and pasta products.