Thermal Effects on in vitro Protein Quality of Red Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Significant thermal effects on in vitro protein quality of red kidney beans were observed. Beans autoclaved at 121°for 10 and 20 min, and common home-cooked beans had improved protein quality. Uncooked beans, and those autoclaved at 128°for 20 min and at 121°for 90 min had reduced protein quality compared to canned beans and those autoclaved at 110°for 20 min and at 121°for 40 and 60 min. Amino acid scores, essential amino acid index and available lysine (%), corrected for in vitro protein digestibility gave comparable results in evaluation of protein quality. Specific lysine, methionine, cysteine and other amino acid ratios overestimated protein quality.