Phytate Reduction in Brown Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Brown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were subjected to treatments to evaluate effects of pH, temperature, CaCl₂, tannase and fermentation on degradation of phytate. Soaking was performed at 21°C, 37°C and 55°C at pH 4.0, 6.0, 6.4, 7.0, and 8.0. Optimal conditions for phytate degradation were pH 7.0 and 55°C. After soaking 4, 8 or 17 hr at these conditions 79%, 87% and 98% of phytate was degraded, respectively. Addition of tannase enhanced reduction of phytate. Fermentation of presoaked whole beans resulted in reduction of 88% of phytate after 48 hr.