IntroductionCommon beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are grown and consumed throughout the world. They play an important role in the nutrition of low-income people especially in developing countries, where they are often the most important dietary source of protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, and minerals (THARANATHAN;MAHADEVAMMA, 2003). It is noteworthy that protein energy undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in childhood can be prevented if beans and cereals are appropriately combined. Besides the nutritional role, bean consumption has other potential benefits for human health such as lowering the risk of colon cancer and of heart disease, reducing total and LDL cholesterol, and regulating blood glucose and insulin levels (THE MICHIGAN BEAN COMMISSION, 2008). Different chemical characteristics can be found in beans according to the genetic variety (BARAMPAMA; SIMARD, 1993;KIGEL, 1999). Genetic research concerning bean culture is mainly aimed at improving productivity and resistance to field pests and environmental stress. Although, there is evidence
ResumoCompararam-se as características físico-químicas de dezesseis cultivares de feijão-comum cru ao longo de duas safras consecutivas, assim como se avaliou o efeito das condições de armazenagem nos teores de amido e fibra alimentar em grãos cozidos. A análise de agrupamento possibilitou a identificação de grupos de cultivares com características nutricionais distintas. Estas cultivares foram categorizadas em quatro grupos de acordo com o conteúdo de macronutrientes (proteína bruta-PROT, fibra alimentar total-TDF, fibra alimentar insolúvel-IDF, fibra alimentar solúvel-SDF, amido disponível-DS e amido resistente-RS) ou de micronutrientes (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ca, Mg, e P). Guateian 6662 e Rio Tibagi mostraram-se as cultivares mais adequadas para prevenir deficiências nutricionais, devido aos altos teores de PROT, DS, Fe e Zn. Os altos teores de fibra alimentar total e RS das cultivares Iraí, Minuano e TPS Bonito, e especialmente os altos teores de fibra solúvel das cultivares Guateian 6662 e Rio Tibagi sugerem que estas poderiam auxiliar no controle dos lipídios e glicose séricos. Os grãos cozidos apresentaram redução no DS e aumento de RS após armazenagem (4 °C ou -20 °C), mas estas alterações foram mais pronunciadas em feijões que tinham baixos teores de RS antes do cozimento do que naqueles com altos teores. Os teores de TDF, IDF, e SDF não alteraram após a armazenagem. Palavras-chave: fibra alimentar; amido disponível; amido resistente; conteúdo mineral.
AbstractSixteen common bean cultivars were compared concerning the physicochemical characteristics of their raw seeds in the course of two consecutive harvests, as well as the effect of storage conditions on starch and dietary fiber content of cooked beans. Using cluster analysis it was possible to identify groups of cultivars with different nutritional features. Bean cultivars were categorized into four different groups according either to their macronutrient content (crude protein-PROT, total dietary fiber...