The composition (proximate, amino acids, in vitro protein digestibility [IVPD]), antinutritional factors (ANFs), functional properties, and antioxidant activity of fermented African yam bean flour (FAYBF) were determined in this study, and the effect of substituting FAYBF on the properties (nutritional, physical, and functional) of bread was investigated. Fermentation significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the levels of nutrients,IVPD,total phenolic content (TPC),and antioxidant activity in the flour, with significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in ANFs. The water absorption capacity (WAC) and oil absorption capacity (OAC), and swelling capacity of the flour increased after fermentation, while bulk density decreased. Substitution of wheat flour with FAYBF increased WAC and OAC, while peak viscosity decreased. Composite breads had higher nutritional, IVPD, TPC, and antioxidant activity than 100% wheat bread. The study demonstrates that FAYBF could be explored for the preparation of wheat-based bread, with reduced gluten levels.

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The glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of processed brown cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) were determined. The whole seeds were dehulled, ground into a paste and steamed (“moin‐moin” MM) or fried (“Akara” FB). Proximate analyses were done to determine the quantity containing 50 g available carbohydrate. Forty healthy volunteers were used for this study. The test groups consumed the processed cowpea while 50 g glucose was administered to the control group. The blood glucose response at 0, 30, 60,120 and 180 min was assessed for each individual of the different groups. The GI values for BB, MM and FB were 46.63 ± 9.0, 50.98 ± 5.74 and 53.42 ± 9.50, respectively. The GL values for the test foods were 5.51 ± 1.19, 6.92 ± 2.14 and 4.94 ± 1.88, respectively. The GI and GL values for the test foods did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). However, BB had the lowest GI and GL values. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Legumes, particularly cowpeas, are good sources of nutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins and minerals). Recently, beans have been shown to be low glycemic index (GI) foods. They therefore have positive health benefits which include hypocholesterolemia, mitigation of diabetes and weight control. Cowpeas are processed traditionally in Nigeria, by soaking, dehulling, grinding, frying steaming and boiling to form cooked beans. These methods are often combined by grinding to a paste and fried or steamed to form “Akara” (fried bean cakes) and “moin‐moin” (steamed bean pudding), respectively. These processing methods generally alter the contents and nutritional quality of the seeds when consumed. Diabetic Nigerians often eat these processed legumes because they help reduce hyperglycemic stress while providing satiety effects. The determination of the glycemic indices and glycemic loads of these processed legumes will give useful information as to how best legumes can be processed for consumption by people with diabetes.

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The identity and quantity of and effect of processing on raffinose oligosaccharides in raw, mature seeds of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), African yam beans (Sphenostylis sternocarpa) and jackbeans (Canavalia ensiformis) were investigated. Sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were identified by HPLC in all the legume seeds. The total alpha-galactoside contents of the seeds in decreasing order were African yam beans 3.84 mg/100 mg; white lima beans 3.62 mg/100 mg; cream pigeon peas 3.51 mg/100 mg; red lima beans 3.37 mg/100 mg; jackbeans 2.83 mg/100 mg and brown pigeon peas 2.34 mg/100 mg. The predominant oligosaccharide was verbascose in pigeon peas and stachyose in the other three legumes. Cooking unsoaked seeds brought about a greater reduction in the total alpha-galactoside content than soaking for nine hours. The removal of oligosaccharides was higher in legumes cooked in alkaline solution than in water. Germination quantitatively reduced raffinose, stachyose and verbascose while sucrose was increased in all seeds except red lima beans and jackbeans.