Chemical composition and functional properties of raw and roasted Nigerian benniseed (Sesamum indicum) and bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean)

Assessment of mineral content, techno-functional properties and colour of an extruded breakfast cereals using yellow maize, sorghum and date palm

In addressing the challenges of food security and nutritional deficiencies, the study aimed to assess the nutritional and techno-functional attributes of an extruded breakfast cereal composed of yellow maize, sorghum, and date palm. The processing involved transforming yellow maize, sorghum, and date palm into flours, and various samples (MA, MB, MC, SA, SB, SC, and MSD) were blended in different proportions (90:0:10, 80:0:20, 70:0:30, 0:90:10, 0:80:20, 0:70:30, 45:45:10, respectively) to create a nutritionally balanced extruded cereal. Standard methods were employed for the analysis to evaluate techno-functional properties (bulk density, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, swelling power, and dispersability), mineral content (sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, and zinc), and color properties (brightness, redness, and yellowness) of the extruded breakfast cereal samples. Techno-functional property ranges were determined, such as bulk density (ranged from 0.39 g/cm³ to 0.50 g/cm³), water absorption capacity (ranged from 1.69 g/ml to 4.43 g/ml), oil absorption capacity (ranged from 1.56 g/ml to 2.14 g/ml), swelling power (ranged from 1.43 g/g to 4.27 g/g), and dispersability (ranged from 23.37% to 60.05%). Mineral content results included sodium (ranging from 10.88 mg/100g to 18.67 mg/100g), potassium (ranging from 253 mg/100g to 351.65 mg/100g), calcium (ranging from 321.50 mg/100g to 421.40 mg/100g), iron (ranging from 9.22 mg/100g to 15.2 mg/100g), and zinc (ranging from 4.11 mg/100g to 5.36 mg/100g). Colour determination exhibited brightness values ranging from 55.31 to 64.48, redness from 0.63 to 2.73, and yellowness from 10 to 17.37.The study demonstrated that extruded breakfast cereals combining yellow maize, sorghum, and date palm met acceptable quality standards in nutritional assessment. The use of date palm as a sugar substitute enhanced mineral bioaccessibility. Furthermore, the incorporation of date palm flour into maize and sorghum-based samples improved both techno-functional properties and mineral content, presenting a novel application for date palm fruits.

Nutritional and techno-functional properties of Australian Acacia seed flour: Effects of roasting on chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and in vitro digestibility and intestinal iron absorption

Acacia seed (AS) is rich in protein and iron but contains protease inhibitors that can reduce protein digestibility (PD). The seeds are generally roasted prior to consumption, although no information on the PD of roasted AS is available. This study investigated the effect of roasting time (5, 7 and 9 min at 180 °C) on the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and in vitro PD and intestinal iron absorption of three wild harvested Australian AS species, Acacia victoriae, A. coriacea and A. cowleana. Roasting A. victoriae and A. coriacea seeds for 7 min significantly increased PD in the seeds by 36 and 61 %, respectively. A 9-min roasting time was required to achieve 75 % reduction in trypsin inhibitor activity in A. coriacea seed, while a shorter roasting time (RT) was sufficient to achieve similar reduction rates in the other two Acacia species. Among the functional properties, water and oil absorption capacities were significantly enhanced as RT increased. The starch granules in 7- and 9-min roasted A. victoriae seed flour detached from the protein matrix while random coil increased in 7-min roasted A. victoriae and 9-min roasted A. coriacea and A. cowleana, thus, contributing to enhanced PD. Although the SDS-PAGE in 7- and 9-min roasted A. cowleana samples showed reductions in the intensity of bands for high molecular weight proteins, PD was not affected by RT. However, intestinal iron absorption was not significantly affected by roasting as compared to raw digesta samples. Compared to commercial roasted Acacia seed, the considerably shorter RT used in this study improved PD in the AS flour with less adverse effects on techno-functional properties.

Impacts of Pretreatment Techniques on the Quality of Tuber Flours

Besides dietary sources of energy, roots and tuber crops can also serve as functional foods and nutraceutical ingredients to be explored in disease risk reduction and wellness. However, they are easily spoiled because of their high moisture contents and enzymatic reactions. Therefore, this review aimed at gathering information on the effects of various pretreatment methods on the quality of tuber crops before converting them into flour. Studies reported by different scholars showed that there were significant differences in physicochemical and functional properties between untreated tuber and the treated tuber samples. The review also highlighted that the chemical treatment methods, particularly sulfite treatment, could increase the lightness value of the flour. In addition, blanching could induce a decrease in protein, ash, and fat. Despite this, blanching pretreatment techniques increased moisture and carbohydrate content. Chemical treatment increases the ash content, which might be responsible for chemical diffusion into the sample. The reviewed results showed that the application of different pretreatments on tuber crops significantly improves many quality characteristics such as color, fiber content, carbohydrate, and the functional properties used for value addition during food product development in the industry. Therefore, application of pretreatment methods particularly chemical treatments could enhance nutritional value, and functional and physical properties of tuber flours.

Quality characteristics of sand, pan and microwave roasted pigmented wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Present study investigated the effect of sand, pan and microwave roasting on physico-chemical, functional and rheological properties of yellow (YW), purple (PW), and black wheat (BW). All roasting methods enhanced the browning index (BI), water absorption capacity (WAC) and oil absorption capacity (OAC) roasted wheat flour. Microwave roasting showed significantly higher impact on BI (58.61% for YW, 131% for BW and 83.85% for PW) and WAC (47.93% for YW, 44.63% for BW and 32.09% for PW). However, the decrease in density, emulsifying capacity (EC), foaming capacity (FC), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC), and antioxidant activity was observed on roasted wheat flour. Roasting also affected the pasting properties of wheat flours and peak, trough, breakdown and final viscosity decreased.

Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Rapid Tool to Qualitatively Predict the Effects of Species, Regions and Roasting on the Nutritional Composition of Australian Acacia Seed Species

In recent times, the popularity of adding value to under-utilized legumes have increased to enhance their use for human consumption. Acacia seed (AS) is an underutilized legume with over 40 edible species found in Australia. The study aimed to qualitatively characterize the chemical composition of 14 common edible AS species from 27 regions in Australia using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy as a rapid tool. Raw and roasted (180 °C, 5, 7, and 9 min) AS flour were analysed using MIR spectroscopy. The wavenumbers (1045 cm⁻¹, 1641 cm⁻¹, and 2852–2926 cm⁻¹) in the MIR spectra show the main components in the AS samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the MIR data displayed the clustering of samples according to species and roasting treatment. However, regional differences within the same AS species have less of an effect on the components, as shown in the PCA plot. Statistical analysis of absorbance at specific wavenumbers showed that roasting significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the compositions of some of the AS species. The results provided a foundation for hypothesizing the compositional similarity and/or differences among AS species before and after roasting.

Breeding Potentials of Bambara Groundnut for Food and Nutrition Security in the Face of Climate Change

Constant production of quality food should be a norm in any community, but climate change, increasing population, and unavailability of land for farming affect food production. As a result, food scarcity is affecting some communities, especially in the developing world. Finding a stable solution to this problem is a major cause of concern for researchers. Synergistic application of molecular marker techniques with next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies can unlock the potentials hidden in most crop genomes for improving yield and food availability. Most crops such as Bambara groundnut (BGN), Winged bean, and African yam bean are underutilized. These underutilized crops can compete with the major crops such as cowpea, soybean, maize, and rice, in areas of nutrition, ability to withstand drought stress, economic importance, and food production. One of these underutilized crops, BGN [Vigna subterranea (L.), Verdc.], is an indigenous African legume and can survive in tropical climates and marginal soils. In this review, we focus on the roles of BGN and the opportunities it possesses in tackling food insecurity and its benefits to local farmers. We will discuss BGN's potential impact on global food production and how the advances in NGS technologies can enhance its production.

Fermentability and nutritional characteristics of sorghum Mahewu supplemented with Bambara groundnut

Processing functionality in terms of fermentability and nutritional characteristics of Mahewu (a sorghum-based nonalcoholic beverage product) supplemented with different proportions of Bambara groundnut (BGN) (80:20 and 70:30, respectively) was investigated to develop a sorghum-based beverage product with improved nutritional quality. Sorghum-BGN Mahewu blends showed a rapid reduction in pH and significantly (P < 0.05) lower final pH (4.3) after 24 hr compared to the control (pH 5.1) (100% Sorghum Mahewu). With total titratable acidity (TTA), sorghum-BGN Mahewu blends had significantly higher final TTA (0.7%) than control (0.4%). Sorghum-BGN Mahewu blends had higher protein and crude fiber contents (up to 7.7% and 7.9%, respectively) than control (6.1% and 5.7%, respectively). In general, sorghum Mahewu supplemented with BGN did not show substantial increase in mineral and individual amino acid contents after fermentation compared to the control, possibly due to increase in tannin content with BGN supplementation. Fermentation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced phytate content by more than 90% in sorghum Mahewu supplemented with BGN when compared to the control (28% reduction). Importantly, BGN supplementation improved the level of some essential amino acids such as threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine, and lysine. Therefore, supplementation with BGN can potentially improve the nutritional quality of sorghum Mahewu but modification in processing procedure is required to effectively improve the nutritional quality of sorghum-BGN blends. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This research work has direct application in addressing problem of malnutrition, as well as improving utilization of indigenous food crops in commercial food processing. This is one of the practical approach to address food insecurity that is prevalent in most African countries.

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Chemically Pretreated Ndou Sweet Potato Flour

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) is a nutritious crop abundant in calories and bioactive compounds such as beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and dietary fibre. This study investigated the effect of pretreatments on the physicochemical and functional properties of Ndou sweet potato (NSP) flour. Flour samples were prepared by randomly assigning NSP slices to two treatments (citric acid and sodium metabisulphite) at 5, 10, and 15 g/L concentration for 10 min. Distilled water was used as control. The moisture content (7.70%) of NSP flour treated with citric acid was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the flour treated with sodium metabisulphite (5.54%) as the concentration level increased. The treatments did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect the protein and fat contents of the NSP flour and protein increased from 2.54 to 2.82%, while fat decreased from 0.69 to 0.61%. Sodium metabisulphite treated samples had a higher L^∗ value, ash, and pH level than citric acid treated samples. However, pH was slightly decreased by both treatments from 6.05 to 5.09. Citric acid treated samples had higher a^∗ and b^∗ values than sodium metabisulphite treated samples. In terms of the functional properties of NSP flour, the treatments significantly (p < 0.05) affected the water absorption capacity, viscosity, swelling power, solubility index, and thermal properties although the bulk density and least gelation concentration were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected. Sodium metabisulphite was very effective in improving physicochemical and functional properties of NSP flour as compared to citric acid. The findings of this study show the possibilities of using NSP flour in food systems as gelling agent, fat replacer, and thickeners.

Nutritional Properties and Consumer's Acceptance of Provitamin A-Biofortified Amahewu Combined with Bambara (Vigna Subterranea) Flour

Amahewu is a fermented non-alcoholic cereal grain beverage, popular in Southern Africa. This study evaluates the possibility of producing an acceptable provitamin A (PVA)-biofortified maize amahewu, complemented with bambara flour, to contribute towards the alleviation of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Germinated, roasted, and raw bambara flours, were added at 30% (w/w) substitution level, separately, to either white maize or PVA-biofortified maize flour, and processed into amahewu. Wheat bran (5% w/w) was used as reference inoculum. Amahewu samples were analyzed for nutritional properties and acceptability. The protein and lysine contents of amahewu almost doubled with the inclusion of germinated bambara. Protein digestibility of amahewu samples increased by almost 45% with the inclusion of bambara. PVA-biofortified maize amahewu samples complemented with bambara were extremely liked for their color, aroma, and taste when compared with their white maize counterparts. The principal component analysis explained 96% of the variation and PVA-biofortified maize amahewu samples were differentiated from white maize amahewu samples. The taste of amahewu resulting from roasting and germination of bambara was preferred in PVA-biofortified maize amahewu, compared to white maize amahewu. We conclude that PVA-biofortified maize amahewu, complemented with germinated bambara, has the potential to contribute towards the alleviation of PEM and VAD.

Effects of roasting on composition of chili seed and storage stability of chili seed oil

This work focused on how roasting changed the chemical components of chili (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds and how it affected the stability of chili seed oils during storage. The oils from chili seeds before and after roasting treatments were stored at 63 °C for 30 days and then analyzed. Results showed that roasting changed the main sugars compositions and amino acid compositions (total content decreased from 15.9 to 7.4%), which confirmed that it could form brown pigments and volatile flavor compounds in pepper seeds after roasting. Compared with oil from unroasted seeds, oils from roasted seeds had greater oxidative stability and maintained greater antioxidant capacity during storage. These effects were possibly due to the synergistic of the neo-formed products by Maillard reaction, vitamin E, and other bioactive components. This investigation showed that roasting treatment could be considered as an appropriate method for extending the storage stability of chili seed oils.

Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) flour: A functional ingredient to favour the use of an unexploited sustainable protein source

Variability in dehulling efficiency, colour, chemical composition and selected functional properties of raw and pre-treated bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) (BG) flour from red and black-eye varieties were studied. Functional properties were water and oil absorption, gelation, pasting, emulsification and foaming capacity. Pre-treatment of seeds (i.e. soaking, roasting and combined soaking and roasting) improved dehulling efficiency of BG varieties. Protein content of flour ranged from 15.6-19.6%, starch from 47.8-52.0% and sucrose from 1.9-5%. An improvement was observed for protein and ash content of pre-treated flour compared to raw flour. Heat treatments increased onset gelatinization temperature of flour. Black-eye BG flours that had higher starch content, also had better gelation capacity than red BG flours. All pre-treatment methods decreased flour emulsification capacity and stability. Dry-roasting caused a greater decline than other methods, whereas soaking had little effect on emulsion stability. Further, soaking increased foaming capacity, whilst a decline was observed in roasted flour. All pre-treatment methods increased oil absorption capacity of both BG flour varieties. Overall, soaked and combined soaked and roasted flour is recommended for BG flour to be incorporated in food products.

Nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of protein concentrate and isolate of newly-developed Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterrenea L.) cultivars

Bambara groundnut is an indigenous African vegetable grown mainly for human food and animal feed due to its high protein content. Different factors like varieties and origin can influence the chemical composition of Bambara groundnut cultivars. Therefore, the aims of this study are to produce defatted flour and protein concentrate from newly developed Bambara groundnut cultivars [Accessions No: TVSU 5 - Bambara Groundnut White (BGW) and TVSU 146 - Bambara Groundnut Brown (BGB)] and compare their nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties with market sample [Bambara groundnut commercial (BGC)]. Higher protein content was observed in BGW (20.73%) and BGB (20.14%) as compared to BGC (18.50%). Also, the fat and ash contents of BGB and BGW were higher than that of BGC. Also, the new varieties were found to contain higher levels of some essential fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids. The concentration of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic, ascorbic acids, pyrodoxine, alpha tocopherol, and vitamin K were also significantly higher in the two new varieties. The new varieties were good sources of magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, sodium, and potassium. The oil and water absorption and swelling capacities of whole, defatted, and protein concentrate flour of the new varieties increase with increase in temperature. The defatted flour and protein concentrate of brown Bambara groundnut was found to exhibit high emulsifying activity and stability at different pH's and salt concentrations. The new varieties possess significantly higher foaming capacity and stability than the commercial variety. The results obtained from this study have shown the potential for the industrial and household use of the new Bambara groundnut cultivars into shelf stable protein products and could be a useful ingredient in food formulations.

Physico-chemical, rheological and antioxidant properties of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) as affected by pan and microwave roasting

Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) belongs to the family Fagaceae and sub family Castaneoideae. Bioactive components such as tannins are present in sweet chestnut in high proportion giving astringent bitter taste and reducing their palatability. Roasting reduces the anti-nutritional factors in chestnut. This study was conducted to compare the effects of pan and microwave roasting on physicochemical, functional, rheological and antioxidant properties of sweet chestnut. Antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH inhibition activity, reducing power, and total phenolic content. Structural analysis was carried out using FT-IR analysis. Protein, fat, and ash contents displayed insignificant (P > 0.05) variations. "L" value decreased from 90.66 to 81.43, whereas, "a" and "b" values increased from 0.02 to 0.90 and 11.99 to 20.5, respectively, upon roasting. Significant (P < 0.05) increase in water absorption capacity (1.32-3.39 g/g), oil absorption capacity (1.22-1.63 g/g), and antioxidant properties was observed following roasting. Flour obtained from roasted chestnuts exhibited a significant decrease in light transmittance, foaming, and pasting properties. Higher gelatinization temperatures and lower enthalpies were reported in microwave and pan roasted chestnut flours. Roasting also reduced the viscoelastic behavior of native sweet chestnut and changed the transmittance of identical functional groups as revealed by FT-IR analysis.

Physico-chemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics of plain yoghurt from bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and soybeans (Glycine max)

Physico-chemical, sensory and microbiological characteristics of plain yoghurt from bambara groundnut and soybean milks were studied. Milks were prepared from bambara and soybean and then fermented using Lactobacillus delbruieckii subspp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarus subspp. thermophilus to produce yoghurt. The yoghurts were stored at 7 °C and 27 °C for 9 days and their quality monitored. Results showed that pH of soy and bambara yoghurts decreased during the storage period for both storage temperatures. This decrease in pH was accompanied by simultaneous increase in titratable acidity. Total solids and apparent viscosities of soy and bambara yoghurts increased at 7 °C, but decreased at 27 °C during storage period. Bambara yoghurt received higher sensory acceptability than soy yoghurt. Predominant microorganisms in the stored yoghurts were lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The LAB count in the yoghurts stored at 7 °C decreased but increased at 27 °C during the storage period. Similar trends were followed by total aerobic bacteria, yeast and moulds counts. Pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Coliform and E. coli were absent in all the yogurt samples. Yoghurts of acceptable quality and safety were produced from bambara groundnut and soybeans.

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Insoluble Dietary Fiber Isolated from Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea [L.] Verdc.)

Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a widely cultivated legume with a rich nutritional profile, yet despite its many benefits it still remains underutilized. To highlight its potential value, 4 BGN varieties-brown, red, black eye, and brown eye were subjected to sequential enzymatic treatments followed by centrifugation to obtain the insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) fraction. The IDFs were vacuum-dried and evaluated for color, hydration properties, fat absorption, polyphenolic compounds, neutral sugars, and uronic acids. An optimized white bread formulation was also determined using brown BGN-IDF in an optimal (IV) mixture design. Three mixture components constrained at lower and upper limits (water: 57% to 60%, yeast: 2.3% to 5.3%, and BGN-IDF: 7% to 10%) were evaluated for their effects on responses of specific loaf volume, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience of the loaves. All BGN-IDFs differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) across all color parameters. Polyphenols were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) highest in red and brown BGN-IDFs. Arabinose/galactose (31.04% to 37.12%), xylose (16.53% to 27.30%), and mannose (14.48% to 22.24%) were the major sugars identified. Swelling capacity was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) highest for brown eye BGN-IDF (7.72 ± 0.49 mL/g). Water retention capacity ranged from 1.63 to 2.01 g water/g dry weight. Fat absorption for red BGN-IDF differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the best optimal white bread formulation enriched with brown BGN-IDF was established with numerical optimization at 59.5% water, 4.3% yeast, and 8.5% BGN-IDF. Overall positive physicochemical and functional properties were observed for BGN-IDFs, and it was shown that an optimal white bread enriched with BGN-IDF could be produced.

Comparative study on nutrient composition, phytochemical, and functional characteristics of raw, germinated, and fermented Moringa oleifera seed flour

Moringa oleifera seeds were processed as raw M. oleifera (RMO), germinated M. oleifera (GMO), and fermented M. oleifera (FMO), and were evaluated for proximate, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, phytochemicals/antinutrients, and functional properties. Protein content of GMO (23.69 ± 0.11 g/100 g) was higher than FMO (21.15 ± 0.08 g/100 g) and that of RMO (18.86 ± 0.09 g/100 g) (P < 0.05), respectively. Energy value of FMO (465.32 ± 0.48 kcal) was higher than GMO (438.62 ± 0.12 kcal) and that of RMO (409.04 ± 1.61 kcal), respectively. Mineral contents in GMO were significantly higher in iron, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and copper, while FMO were higher in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and both were significantly lower than those in RMO (P < 0.05). Total essential amino acids (TEAAs) in FMO (31.07 mg/g crude protein) were higher than in GMO (26.52 mg/g crude protein), and were higher than that in RMO (23.56 mg/g crude protein). Linoleic acid (58.79 ± 0.02-62.05 ± 0.01 g/100 g) and behenic acid (0.13 ± 0.00-0.20 ± 0.06 g/100 g) were the predominant and least fatty acids, respectively. Phytochemical/antinutrient compositions in FMO samples were significantly lower than GMO, and both were significantly lower when compared with RMO samples (P < 0.05). The bulk density (pack and loose), foaming capacity, swelling capacity, and water absorption capacity (WAC) of FMO were significantly higher than those of GMO, and there was no significant difference between GMO and RMO samples. The study established that fermentation processing methods increased the protein content, essential amino acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles, and reduced antinutrient compositions of M. oleifera seed than germination processing techniques; hence, fermentation techniques should be encouraged in processing moringa seeds in food processing.

Nutritional and antinutritional evaluation of raw and processed Australian wattle (Acacia saligna) seeds

Raw and processed (soaked, soaked/boiled, roasted) wattle, Acacia saligna subspecies (subsp.) saligna, pruinescens, stolonifera and lindleyi, seeds were analysed for nutritional and antinutritional qualities. Whole wattle seeds mainly comprised proteins (27.6-32.6%) and carbohydrates (30.2-36.4%), which had approximately 12.0-14.0% fat and 13.0-15.0% crude fibre. Palmitic (9.6%), stearic (2.0%), oleic (20.0%) and linoleic (64.3%) acids were identified by gas chromatography (GC) analysis. Phenolic (∼0.2%), oxalate (2.2-3.4%) and saponin (2.6-3.0%) contents were fairly high; phytate content was low. All untreated samples contained a high level of trypsin inhibitor (2474.3-3271.4 trypsin inhibitor units per gramme (TIU/g) of flour) and low level of α-chymotrypsin inhibitor (120.4-150.6 CIU/g). Soaking overnight following with 2-min boiling led to a significant reduction of protease inhibitor activity. Roasting at 2 min or longer was sufficient to reduce both trypsin and α-chymotrypsin inhibitors to negligible values, also to reduce phytate, oxalate and saponin contents, simultaneously enhanced the nutritional values of wattle seeds.

Physicochemical characteristics and functional properties of vitabosa (mucuna deeringiana) and soybean (glycine max)

Physicochemical characteristics and functional properties of vitabosa flour (Mucuna deeringiana) and soybean flour (Glycine max) were determined. Oil absorption capacity was higher in vitabosa. Water absorption capacity was higher in soy and it was affected by the change in the ionic strength of the medium. Emulsifying Activity (EA) decreased with increasing concentration of flour, while Emulsifying Stability (ES) showed an increased. EA and ES of flours have more ionic strength in the range between 0.0 and 0.4 M, but it is reduced afterwards with the higher concentration of NaCl. Foaming stability varied with the concentration of flour solution reaching maximum values of 39 and 33% for vitabosa and soybean, respectively at 10% flour concentration.Vitabosa had the best foaming capacity (56% to 0.6 M) compared with soybeans (47% to 0.4 M). Maximum capacity of gelation was observed in vitabosa at 10% flour concentration. Increases in ionic strength of the flour solution, at low salt concentrations (<0.4 M), improved the gelation of flours.