Emulsifying and foaming properties of Phaseolus vulgaris and coccineus proteins

Protein isolates from two Phaseolus cultivars, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and scarlet runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.), were prepared by wet extraction methods (isoelectric precipitation – 4000 rpm, ultrafiltration, extraction with NaCl 2%, and isoelectric precipitation – 9900 rpm). The protein isolates were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and then evaluated for their solubility. The emulsion stability of emulsions produced at pH 7.0 and 5.5 with 1% or 2% or 3% w/v protein isolate was evaluated by average droplet size diameter, viscosity and creaming measurements. Emulsions with 1% protein content were unstable through storage. Emulsions with 3% w/v protein isolate concentration, extracted by ultrafiltration at pH 5.5 from both cultivars, were flocculated; this was more pronounced for coccineus isolates. The foaming properties, for the respective foams, were investigated. Foams with 1% w/v protein showed little foaming ability Ultrafiltration isolates produced more foam, which was especially stable at pH 5.5.     

Study of emulsions stabilized with Phaseolus vulgaris or Phaseolus coccineus with the addition of Arabic gum, locust bean gum and xanthan gum

The properties of o/w emulsions stabilized with 1%w/v common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), V or scarlet runner bean (P. coccineus L.), Coc extracted by isoelectric precipitation or ultrafiltration, at pH 7.0 and 5.5, with the addition of Arabic gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum and a mixture of xanthan gum–locust bean gum (0.1 %w/v and 0.25 %w/v) are studied. The stability of emulsions was evaluated on the basis of oil droplet size, creaming, viscosity and protein adsorption measurements. The addition of Arabic gum, caused an increase in D[4,3] values and a decrease in the amount of protein adsorbed at the interface. The addition of locust bean gum in some emulsions reduced the amount of protein adsorbed. The addition of xanthan and to a less extend of the polysaccharide mixture, promoted a decrease in D[4,3]. So, emulsion stability was affected by the polysaccharide nature. Differences were also observed with respect to the protein nature, the method of its preparation and emulsion's pH. All polysaccharides enhanced the emulsions viscosity with xanthan and xanthan–locust bean gum exhibiting the higher values. V isolates and isoelectricaly precipitated isolates of both V, Coc showed higher viscosity values. The stability was enhanced by the increase of the viscosity of the continuous phase and the creation of a network, which prevents the oil droplets from coalescence.     

Natural occurrence of free anthocyanin aglycones in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The application of an improved method of extraction and purification has allowed the characterization of anthocyanins and free anthocyanidins in beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. using LC-MS determination.     

Effect of cooking and germination on phenolic composition and biological properties of dark beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Legumes are the base´s diet in several countries. They hold a high nutritional value, but other properties related to human health are nowadays being studied. The aim of this work was to study the influence of processes (boiling or germination) on the phenolic composition of dark beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. c.v. Tolosana) and their effect on their antioxidant, neuroprotective and anticancer ability. Phenolic composition of raw and processed dark beans was analysed by HPLC-PAD and HPLC–ESI/MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by ORAC. Astrocytes cultures (U-373) have been used to test their neuroprotective effect. Anticancer activities were evaluated on three different cell lines (renal adenocarcinoma (TK-10), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and melanoma (UACC-62)) by sulphorhodamine B method. Qualitative and quantitative differences in phenolic composition have been observed between raw and processed dark beans that influence the antioxidant activity, mainly for germinated samples which show a decrease of antioxidant capacity. Although every assayed extracts decreased reactive oxygen species release and exhibited cytotoxicity activities on cancer cell lines, raw beans proved to be the most active in neuroprotective and antitumoral effects; this sample is especially rich in phenolic compounds, mainly anthocyanins. This study further demonstrated that phenolic composition of dark beans is related with cooking process and so with their neuroprotective and anticancer activity; cooking of dark beans improves their digestion and absorption at intestinal level, while maintaining its protective ability on oxidative process at cellular level.     

Content of flavonols in Italian bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) ecotypes

Methanol extracts of seeds from 23 accessions of 3 Phaseolus vulgaris ecotypes (“Sarconi”, “Lamon”, “Zolfino del Pratomagno”), grown in different Italian regions (Basilicata, Veneto, Tuscany) were analyzed for their flavonoid content. Flavonoid glycosides were found in the seed coat from ten accessions of the “Zolfino” ecotype and in one accession of the “Sarconi” ecotype. From highest to lowest concentration these compounds were kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (compound 2), kaempferol 3-O-xylosylglucoside (compound 1) and a not completely identified kaempferol monoglucoside (compound 3). Total flavonol content varied from 0.19 to 0.84 g/kg of seed fresh weight. A great variability in the total flavonol content, being between 18% and 50%, and in the relative abundance of different kaempferol derivatives was observed for the same genotypes sampled in the original locations in the 2001–2003 period. Fluctuation in flavonol content suggests that further researches are necessary for an exhaustive comprehension of physiological mechanisms influencing the expression of these phenolic compounds. Obtained results evidenced that some Italian bean ecotypes may be an important source of functional compounds as kaempferol glycosides.     

Deterrent and insecticidal properties of bean seed (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) whole meal or protein extract incorporated into the diet of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Callosobruchus maculatus, a pest that causes serious damage to chickpea Cicer arietinum, cannot develop in the seeds of Phaseolus or Vigna spp. which contain lectins. The insecticidal activity towards C. maculatus in these seeds is attributed both to lectins with specific affinity to N-acetylglucosamine, the major component of insect chitin, and to alpha-amylase inhibitors (lectin-like proteins). The insecticidal properties of bean meal or bean protein extracts from different sources towards different pest species are variable and need to be experimentally evaluated. The main objective of this study was to determine through a feeding trial on artificial chickpea seed the potential of bean seed meal from a wild bean Vigna caracalla, four varieties of Phaseolus vulgaris, and of a protein extract of P. vulgaris seed, to alter different life history traits of C. maculatus. The chickpea weevil was set up on artificial chickpea seeds containing different amounts of bean meal to observe the effects on female oviposition, percentage of development to adulthood and juvenile development time. These traits were combined in a composite index measuring the alteration of the multiplication rate of C. maculatus fed on artificial seed. The activity of lectin-like extracts was observed on chickpea artificial seed spiked with bean seed extract. Incorporation of bean flour at a rate of 10 and 20% in chickpea artificial seed significantly decreased C. maculatus female fecundity, percentage of adult emergence, and greatly increased the development time. Feeding trials with protein extracts of P. vulgaris reduced fecundity and survival of C. maculatus. Incorporation of 10% V. caracalla bean seed meal in chickpea artificial seed, reduced the multiplication potential of C. maculatus by over 90% showing that bean seed lectin extracts are worthy of further investigation for post-harvest infestation control.     

Polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of Phaseolus vulgaris stored under extreme conditions and processed

Phaseolus vulgaris is a foodstuff that not only supplies nutrients, but also bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity; however, bad post-harvest storage or processing can diminish the antioxidant capacity. In this work, the effect of storage under extreme conditions, of thermal processing and of fermentation on the content of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacity (AA) in beans of just harvested P. vulgaris were evaluated. Combination of temperatures of 30 and 50 °C and relative humidity of 11% and 80% for 150 days were evaluated. Extreme storage conditions drastically decreased the AA, demonstrating that post-harvest storage at low temperature and humidity preserves the antioxidant capacity of the beans. Regarding processing, cooking decreased the scavenging effect and the AA by 63.5% and 56.8%, while fermentation decreased them by only 14% and 22%, respectively. It was concluded that the loss of antioxidant capacity due to heating is less in fermented beans.     

In vitro and in vivo protein hydrolysis of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) genetically modified to express different phaseolin types

Experiments were conducted to study whether phaseolin type could influence proteolysis susceptibility and nutritional value of total bean protein. The DOR-390 bean cultivar was genetically modified to express different phaseolin types (S, T or I). Beans were soaked and autoclaved. A sequential hydrolysis was carried out in vitro with pepsin and pancreatin. Differences in the degree of protein hydrolysis among bean lines started at 30 min and remained until 240 min, with the S bean proteins presenting lower values (P < 0.05). Subsequently, rats were fed with diets containing beans expressing different phaseolin types as the only source of protein for N digestibility and nutritional value determination. No differences (P > 0.05) in ileal protein digestibility and rat growth were observed. In conclusion, the differences in in vitro hydrolysis between bean lines expressing different phaseolin types had no consequences on growth and N retention in rats.     

Comparative study of the composition and thermal properties of protein isolates prepared from nine Phaseolus vulgaris legume varieties

Beans contain high amounts of protein and, as demonstrated with other legumes, may contain peptides with bioactive properties. Dozens of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties are grown in Canada, and many vary not only in terms of their protein content but also in their composition. In this study, the composition, molecular structure, and thermal properties of nine varieties of P. vulgaris were studied using electrophoresis, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The predominant protein observed in each variety was vicilin. RP-HPLC chromatogram showed protein isolates (PIs) of white, great northern and black beans to have different profiles of low-molecular-weight proteins. Additionally, black bean PIs were missing proteins in the molecular mass (MM) range of 60 to 97 kDa. DSC analysis showed cranberry and light red kidney bean PIs to have significantly lower denaturation temperatures compared to the other varieties. RP-HPLC chromatograms of cranberry and light red kidney bean PIs were also very different. FTIR spectroscopy showed the predominant secondary structures in all varieties to be ??-sheets and random coils. Increasing the temperature from 25 °C to 95 °C resulted in a reduction in ??-sheet structures and an increase in the content of random coils and antiparallel ??-sheet structures. Overall there were no major dissimilarities observed in the FTIR profiles of the nine P. vulgaris varieties.     

Drying kinetics of nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) using three different methods and their effect on their mechanical properties

Nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) is an endemic plant of the arid and semiarid lands of America. Preservation problems are associated with nopal utilization and processing, so a practical alternative is dehydration. This work deals with the drying of nopal correlated with the textural properties of the dried product. Convective drying studies were performed and the most representative experimental results at two air flow rates (3 and 5 m/s) and two air temperatures (45 and 65 °C) are displayed here. Experiments of osmotic drying with glucose at 40 and 60 °Brix, and drying temperatures of 25 and 45 °C were tested. A combination of both drying processes was also performed. Results have shown forced convection drying with a mostly decreasing trend at the constant rate period. In the osmotic drying, moisture loss was associated to glucose concentration. Texture profile analysis of dehydrated nopal suggested that samples undergoing convective drying have more cohesiveness than samples treated solely by osmotic drying. On the other hand, samples treated by osmotic drying became more elastic. Between the two drying methods studied, the convective drying has shown the best results at the experimental conditions assayed.     

Physical and functional characteristics of selected dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) flours

Many varieties of dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are available with entirely different physico-chemical and sensory characteristics. Selected dry bean varieties (red kidney, small red kidney, cranberry and black) were processed into flour and analyzed for the physico-chemical and functional characteristics. The bulk density of the beans flours varied significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.515 g/ml for black bean flour to 0.556 g/ml for red kidney bean flour. The small red kidney bean flour had the highest water absorption capacity (2.65 g/g flour) while black bean flour showed the lowest at 2.23 g/g flour. Significant differences were observed for oil absorption capacities of bean flours, which ranged from 1.23 g/g for small red kidney bean flour to 1.52 g/g for red kidney bean flour. The bean flours emulsion capacity and stability and foaming capacity and stability also varied significantly and was variety-dependent. The highest apparent viscosity, 0.462 Pa.s, was recorded for small red kidney bean flour whereas black bean flour exhibited the lowest value of 0.073 Pa.s at 30 g/100 ml water content in the flour dispersions. The force-deformation curves for doughs from different bean flours showed that black bean flour had the highest peak force or hardness value of 90.7 N followed by doughs from cranberry, small red kidney and red kidney bean flours. The results of this study offer useful data on bean flours' potential uses in different food products.     

Physico-chemical properties of alcohol precipitate pectin-like polysaccharides from Parkia speciosa pod

Alcohol precipitate polysaccharides (i.e. E_pH2, E_pH4.5 and E_pH7) from Parkia speciosa were extracted at 95 °C for 5 h using 0.1 M citrate phosphate buffers of pH 2, pH 4.5 and pH 7, respectively. Comparison between the extracts and commercial citrus pectin (CP) was also performed. Uronic acid and protein content of E_pH2 were higher followed by E_pH4.5 and E_pH7. FTIR analysis showed that E_pH2 and E_pH4.5 gave comparable pattern compared to CP with DE values of 83% and 64%, respectively, whereas E_pH7 was slightly different. E_pH2 obtained a lower solubility (∼60–70%) compared to other extracts (>90%) whereas E_pH7 obtained the highest oil holding capacity (OHC) value (3.9 g/g). Flow analysis showed that E_pH2 produced a higher viscosity gel solution at pH 2 followed by E_pH4.5 and E_pH7, however the gelling properties decreased as pH increased. Different colour of the gels was also found, ranging from yellowish to purplish colour; and the colour changed with the alteration of pH. Antioxidative properties were also shown in the extracts. E_pH2 consisted of 382.8 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of samples and exhibited percent of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenged (%DPPH_sc) of 47.5% whereas E_pH4.5 and E_pH7 consisted of 294.8 and 74.5 mg GAE/100 g sample, respectively, and gave %DPPH_sc values of 42.8 and 6.0, respectively. Therefore, it was suggested that P. speciosa has the potential in producing functional polysaccharides that could be imparted into the food system.     

Effect of processing on antinutrients and in vitro protein digestibility of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties grown in East Africa

The effects of hydration, autoclaving, germination, cooking and their combinations, on the reduction/elimination of antinutrients, flatus-producing compounds and the improvement of in vitro protein digestibility of three selected Phaseolus vulgaris varieties were investigated. Reduction in the amount of total α-galactosides was attained by employing hydration process and was due to the differential solubility of the individual oligosaccharides and their diffusion rates. Due to their heat-sensitive nature, saponins, trypsin inhibitors and phytohaemagglutinins, diminished drastically to undetectable amounts when heating processes (cooking and autoclaving) were employed. Hydration and germination processes were less effective in reducing trypsin inhibitors, saponins and phytohaemagglutinins as compared with cooking/autoclaving processes. Germination process reduced stachyose, raffinose, phytic acid and tannins which was due to metabolic activity. The combination of germination followed by autoclaving processes yielded the most promising result in this study. The bean variety Roba exhibited better protein digestibility on processing and thus has high potential to be used as a raw material for the manufacturing of value-added products.     

Improving effect of xanthan and locust bean gums on the freeze-thaw stability of white sauces made with different native starches

The effect of adding xanthan gum and locust bean gum at low concentrations (0.15% w/w) on the freeze/thaw stability of white sauces prepared with native starches from four different sources (corn, waxy corn, potato, and rice) was investigated. Linear viscoelastic properties were taken as structural indicators and these and syneresis as indicators of the freeze/thaw stability of the sauces. The pasting properties of the starch in the sauce system were also studied. Both hydrocolloids reduced the structural changes occurring after thawing, xanthan gum being more effective than locust bean gum. In corn and potato sauces, the most affected by the freeze/thaw cycle, the appearance of syneresis and the increase in viscoelastic functions were significantly reduced by both hydrocolloids. In general, the addition of hydrocolloids affected peak, hot peak and cold peak viscosities and reduced relative total setback. The results regarding the possible effects of hydrocolloid addition to white sauce systems are discussed in molecular terms.     

Effect of cell immobilization on heat-induced sublethal injury of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria innocua

The occurrence of sublethally injured cells in foods poses major public health concerns and is an essential aspect when assessing the microbial response to food preservation strategies, yet there is limited research dealing with its specific implications for mild heating. All available studies so far have been performed in broths colonized by planktonic cells, although their susceptibility to lethal agents has often been reported to be markedly different to the stress tolerance of cell colonies developed in solid foods. In this work, the effect of planktonic and colony growth, as well as the influence of colony density on sublethal injury induced by mild heating of Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria innocua were assessed in food model systems. Detection of injured survivors relied on their inability to form visible colonies on salt-based selective media, which do not affect the growth of healthy cells. Sublethal injury (SI) increased rapidly with shorter exposure times and afterwards, decreased progressively, suggesting a mechanism of cumulative damage triggering lethal instead of SI. Cell arrangement affected the degree of SI, higher values being generally found for gelified systems, although the effect of colony density depended on the target microorganism. This information is essential for optimizing the design of food safety assurance systems.     

The polyphenolic profiles of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Based on the phenolic profiles obtained by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS), 24 common bean samples, representing 17 varieties and 7 generic off-the-shelf items, belonging to ten US commercial market classes can be organized into six different groups. All of them contained the same hydroxycinnaminic acids, but the flavonoid components showed distinct differences. Black beans contained primarily the 3-O-glucosides of delphinidin, petunidin and malvidin, while pinto beans contained kaempferol and its 3-O-glycosides. Light red kidney bean contained traces of quercetin 3-O-glucoside and its malonates, but pink and dark red kidney beans contained the diglycosides of quercetin and kaempferol. Small red beans contained kaempferol 3-O-glucoside and pelargonidin 3-O-glucoside, while no flavonoids were detected in alubia, cranberry, great northern, and navy beans. This is the first report of the tentative identification of quercetin 3-O-pentosylhexoside and flavonoid glucoside malonates, and the first detailed detection of hydroxycinnamates, in common beans.     

Antioxidant and metal chelating activities of Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Jamapa protein isolates, phaseolin and lectin hydrolysates

A search in a database of potential bioactive short sequences in food proteins reveals that bioactive peptides with a variety of beneficial effects for cardiovascular health are present in the sequence of common bean proteins, including bioactive sequences with antioxidant properties. A protein isolate, the storage protein phaseolin and a lectin extract from Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Jamapa, were hydrolyzed by treatment with pepsin and pancreatin in order to investigate the possible release of peptides with antioxidant and metal chelating properties. Antioxidant activity was determined in Caco-2 cells exposed to a free radical generator, and iron and copper chelating activities were determined using colorimetric methods. The highest antioxidant activity, 71% inhibition, was found in the hydrolyzed protein isolate. Copper and iron chelating activities were highest in the lectin and phaseolin hydrolysates, 53% and 81%, respectively. Thus, experimental data indicates, as suggested by the database search, that antioxidant peptides are abundant in pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysates, which may represent a valuable health-promoting property in common bean.     

Critical effect of oxygen on aroma compound production by Proteus vulgaris

Aroma compound production by Proteus vulgaris was studied in a liquid medium under two culture conditions, static or shaken. By using a dynamic headspace technique coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 30 volatile components, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, sulphur compounds and other miscellaneous compounds were identified. P. vulgaris produced a variety of volatile compounds in different amounts, depending on its culture condition. Sensory analysis has shown that the aroma characteristics of each culture condition were clearly differently perceived. The volatile composition was in agreement with the aroma perception. The culture medium obtained without agitation was characterised by a sulphur/rotten egg note and by a high level of H₂S. The culture medium obtained with agitation was characterised by fruity/fresh and cheese notes and by a high level of alcohols and volatile sulphur compounds. Thus, P. vulgaris could be a useful microorganism to produce various and numerous natural aroma compounds, depending on the culture conditions during fermentation.     

Influence of non-starch polysaccharides on the in vitro digestibility and viscosity of starch suspensions

The effects of adding non-starch polysaccharides (xanthan gum, guar gum, konjac glucomannan, and pectin) on the starch digestibility and viscosity of raw starch suspensions in a mixed system were determined. Each type of polysaccharide was added to high-amylose corn starch suspensions at defined concentrations. High-amylose rice starch suspensions mixed with xanthan and guar gum were prepared for comparison. The extent of starch digestibility was determined by an in vitro method, and the glucose diffusibility from the dialysis tube in the presence of polysaccharides was measured. The added polysaccharides were observed to decrease the starch digestibility in a mixed system. When compared at the same concentration, xanthan gum showed the most pronounced suppressive effect on starch digestibility and glucose diffusibility from the dialysis tube. The addition of polysaccharides increased the viscosity of the starch suspension. Significant relations were found between the extent of starch digestibility and the apparent viscosity at low shear rate.