Biochemical and Nutritional Importance of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.)) on Wistar Rats

Abstract

Recently, food-security and sustainability have become a serious global concern, leading to malnutrition in the developing countries. Winged bean is an underutilized and neglected legume indigenous to Africa. In this study, we evaluated in vitro and in vivo nutritional properties of processed and unprocessed winged bean. Furthermore, we investigated impact of dietary intake of winged bean diets on biochemical factors pertaining to body weight gain, lipid profiles, antioxidant enzymes, and liver and kidney functions of experimental rats over a 6-week study period. Twenty-one rats were divided into three groups (n = 7), and fed with three diets (normal pellet diet, pure processed winged bean alone, and 50% w/w processed winged bean). Our results show higher nitrogen free extract in the processed winged bean than the unprocessed one. A significant difference (P > 0.05) in moisture content was observed between the unprocessed and processed winged bean. The levels of phytate and oxalate in the processed winged bean were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. However, saponin and tannins levels were increased in the processed winged bean. The calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium contents observed in the processed winged bean were higher than the unprocessed winged bean. The higher weight gain was observed in the rats fed with 100% winged bean as compared to the other groups. Lipid profiles analysis revealed decreased cholesterol and triglycerides levels with an increase level of HDL in the rats fed on 100% winged bean as well as 50% w/w winged bean diet as compared to the control group. The liver and colon catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the processed winged bean diet. It can therefore be concluded that the consumption of processed winged bean could reduce the menace of malnutrition, and also use as a substitute for soybean.

Variation in winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) growth parameters, seed yield, nodulation, and nitrogen fixation

“…Winged beans are suitable for cultivation in soils with low fertility as it combines with and fixes nitrogen, useful as a cover crop, and is also used for intercropping systems (Wong et al 2017). Adegboyega et al (2019) and Esan et al (2020) variable levels of nutrients and antinutrients were recorded in the seeds and tubers irrespective of the state in which samples were processed. The consumption of winged beans could help minimize malnutrition and provide alternative substitutes for other legumes.…”

Biochemical composition, bioactivity, processing, and food applications of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus): A review

“…Saponins, also known as plant glycosides, can rupture red blood cells. The amount of saponin present in winged bean seeds is low (0.6%) than in other common pulses (Esan et al, 2020). Saponins have a number of beneficial health effects, including anti‐fungal, hypercholesterolemia, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐parasitic, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic effects, and so forth.…”

“…The oxalate content in the winged bean ranged from 340 to 597 mg/100 g (Deraniyagala & Gunawardena, 1999; Esan et al, 2020). Oxalate is situated in a separate compartment within the cell in the unprocessed winged bean seeds, but during processing or digestion, it comes out of the compartments and strongly binds with different minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium), which makes these nutrients inaccessible to the body.…”

“…In New Guinea, the pods and tubers are applied as medicine (Latha et al, 2007). The processed winged beans can increase the high-density lipoprotein and antioxidant and enzymatic activity and decrease the cholesterol and triglycerides in experimental rats (Esan et al, 2020). It can revive severe kwashiorkor diseases ( Černý & Addy, 1973).…”