Functional Properties of Raw and Heat Processed Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) Flour

Nitrogen solubility, emulsification capacity, foam capacity, fat and water absorption capacity of raw and heat-processed winged bean flour were compared with those of raw soy flour, both as a function of pH and NaCl concentration. Nitrogen solubility vs pH profile showed only one minimum, at pH 4.5. Heat processing of winged bean flour lowered nitrogen solubility. Water and fat absorption capacity of winged bean flour were 2.1 g/g and 1.4 g/g, respectively; those of raw soy flour were 3.1 g/g and 1.2 g/g. Heat processing increased water and fat absorption capacity of winged bean flour by 38% and 57%, respectively. Emulsification capacity of raw winged bean flour was higher than that of raw soy flour by about 30–60% depending on the pH. Heat processing diminished emulsification and foam capacity of winged bean flour by about 35% and 18%, respectively. Incorporation of NaCl up to 0.4M improved emulsification capacity of winged bean flour and foam capacity up to 0.2 M.