[Effect of various heat treatments in the hemagglutinin content and in the protein quality of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)].

The effect of pre-soaking raw seed beans upon detoxification and the biological quality of its protein were evaluated. In whole raw seed beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) var. "tórtola", the net protein utilization (NPU), true digestibility and hemagglutinin titer were determined after 60', 90' and 120' of heat treatment, with and without 14 hours of pre-soaking. It is concluded that soaking prior to cooking is not necessary to eliminate the toxicity of dry beans, but that it does contribute to the softening of seeds and reduction of cooking time. The hemagglutinin levels of six commercial bean flours were evaluated, concluding that almost all of them presented toxic levels. The effect of the cooking methods upon the toxicity of bean flours was studied. Two raw bean flours, var. "tórtola" and "burro" at 10% and 20%, were cooked employing different boiling times (5, 10, 15 and 30'). The two raw samples contained high hemagglutinin levels which were inactivated at 10% with 10' cooking. The presence of toxic levels was detected at 20% after 15' cooking and these were eliminated at 30' of cooking.