Effect of processing on the non-starch polysaccharides and in vitro starch digestibility of legumes / Efecto del procesado en el contenido de polisacáridos no amiláceos y la digestibilidad in vitro del almidón de legumbres

Abstract

Dietary fiber content (as non-starch polysaccharides, NSP) and in vitro starch digestibility of legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas) present in the Spanish diet were determined. Raw, boiled and industrially processed legumes were analyzed, as well as legume dishes prepared according to tradi tional recipes or commercial canned meals. A reduction of total NSP was observed in cooked prepa rations probably due to the presence of other food ingredients. Soluble NSP increased in industrially processed legumes at the expense of the insoluble fraction. Significant amounts of resistant starch (RS) were detected in processed legumes. Industrial processing seemed to result in an increased in vitro starch digestibility with a higher starch digestion rate index (SDRI) in comparison with domes tic processing. Rapidly available glucose (RAG) in processed legumes, as a predictor of their poten tial glycemic response, showed differences depending on the type of legume and treatment. Gener ally pulses consumed as home-made meals had lower RAG values.