Effect of Soaking and Cooking on the Oligosaccharide Content of Dry Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.)

The effect of cooking conditions commonly used in Brazilian homes was determined by measuring the oligosaccharide content (sucrose, raffinose and stachyose) of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, L.) by thin-layer chromatography. Soaking in water caused a small decrease in the oligosaccharide content of the beans and the relative amount removed was not proportional to the solubility of the sugars in water. Cooking of the whole seeds led to a larger decrease in oligosaccharide content, especially when large amounts of water were used.