Bean Diet Research Articles

Effect of soya bean diet preparations on some haematological and biochemical indices in the rat

Effects of Soya bean diet preparations on the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, total plasma protein, plasma albumin, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were studied in male albino rats. The animals were fed diets containing 75%, 50% and 25% Soya bean in groups II, III and IV respectively. Group I rats served as the control and were fed normal mouse cubes. There were steady but significant increases in the concentrations of hematocrit, hemoglobin, total plasma protein and plasma albumin in rats fed 25% to 75% concentration of Soya bean in the diets .Although there were significant increases in the electrolytes concentrations between the Soya bean diets and rats fed normal diet, there was no significant difference in the electrolytes concentrations of rats fed different concentrations of Soya bean. This study therefore seems to confirm the nutritional value of Soya bean in alleviating malnutrition

Effect of feeding velvet beans (<i>Mucuna pruriens</i>) on the lipid profile of broiler chickens

The effect of feeding velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) meal on the lipid profile in broilers was investigated. Two hundred, 14 days old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design and feeding continued for four weeks. Maize and soybean meal based control feed and four test diets prepared from the control feed by incorporating velvet beans at 10, 15, 20 and 25% levels served as five dietary treatments. Feed intake was unaffected by velvet beans. Serum total cholesterol level was lowered by 9.5, 9.7, 15 and 16% in birds fed with 10, 15, 20 and 25% velvet bean diets. Birds fed 25% VB diet showed an increase in HDL level by 8%. LDL level was lowered by 43.1, 36.5, 25 and 23.4%, respectively in birds fed with 25, 20, 15 and 10% velvet beans. Velvet beans reduced the serum triglyceride levels. Results suggest that Velvet beans contain a strong cholesterol lowering effect in broilers. Key words: Velvet beans; broilers; cholesterol DOI: 10.4038/suslj.v7i1.1845 Sabaragamuwa University Journal vol. 07 no.1, 2007 pp 78-85

Toxicity and Antifeedant Activity of Selected Plant Extracts Against Larval Obliquebanded Leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris)~!2008-11-07~!2009-09-30~!2010-02-10~!

Several plant extracts were evaluated against obliquebanded leafroller larvae to determine potential toxicity and antifeedant effects. Two of the plant extracts exhibited contact toxicity; the LC50 value of Humulus lupulus extract against 3 rd insar larvae was 24.5 μg / insect. In a no choice context, larval survivorship was reduced 23 - 57 % after feeding on a meridic pinto bean diet treated with the extracts. Furthermore, average female and male pupal weight was reduced for lea- frollers that fed on diet treated with each of the individually-tested extracts at a 4 % concentration (w/w). Incorporation of Bifora radians and H. lupulus into diet deterred larval feeding at a 1 % concentration by weight. H. lupulus and Arctium lappa extracts were deleterious to larvae in each of the bioassay methods conducted, exhibiting toxic, developmental, and antifeedant effects. These two extracts may be promising candidates for further development as botanical insecticides that could potentially substitute broad-spectrum synthetic neurotoxins for leafroller control.

Nutritional value of faba beans ( Vicia faba L.) for broilers: Apparent metabolisable energy, ileal amino acid digestibility and production performance

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of four cultivars (PGG Tic, Spec Tic, South Tic and Broad) of faba beans ( Vicia faba L.) for broilers. In experiment 1, the apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients of these four cultivars were determined. The cultivar effects were significant (P<0.05) for AME, but ileal amino acid digestibility coefficients were not different (P>0.05) between the four cultivars. The AME value of South Tic cultivar was higher (P<0.05) than those of Spec Tic and Broad cultivars, but similar (P>0.05) to that of PGG Tic. In Experiment 2, using the AME and ileal digestible amino acid values determined in Experiment 1, diets containing 200 g kg −1 of the four cultivars of faba beans were formulated and the effects of feeding these diets on the performance and the digestive tract development of broiler starters were investigated. Weight gain, feed intake and feed per gain of broilers fed faba bean diets were similar (P>0.05) to those fed the maize–soybean meal diet. The performance of birds fed diets containing different cultivars of faba beans was similar (P>0.05). In general, the digestive tract development was unaffected (P>0.05) by the inclusion of faba beans. The exceptions were the relative empty weight and digesta weight of gizzard which were found to be higher (P<0.05) in birds fed diets containing faba beans than those fed the maize–soy diet. Birds fed faba bean diets had better (P<0.05) excreta quality scores than that of the basal diet. These results suggest that faba beans are good sources of energy and amino acids, and that faba beans can be included at 200 g kg −1 inclusion level as a partial replacement for soybean meal in broiler diets without any adverse effects on the performance.

Native and microwaved bean and pea starch preparations: physiological effects on the intestinal ecosystem, caecal tissue and serum lipids in rats.

Dietary beans and peas provide fibre, resistant starch and other nutrients that are often lacking in the human diet. The influence of native starches of beans and peas (and microwaved preparations) on N utilisation, biochemical indices in blood serum and caecal ecosystem state (SCFA, bacterial enzymes, micro-organisms) was studied in vivo. The native pea starch contained more resistant starch compared with its bean counterpart (31 v. 17 %); however, processing decreased these amounts to 25 v. 10 %. N digestibility was found to decrease considerably in all experimental groups. A considerable reduction was observed in glucose and total cholesterol concentration in rat blood serum as a result of feeding both dietary legume starch preparations under microwave treatment. This indicates that starch of bean origin activated glycolytic bacterial enzymes; however, all the analysed starches were found to reduce the activity of beta-glucuronidase. In addition, both dietary bean starches significantly induced the formation of SCFA in the caecal digesta. As compared with the control group, a significant decrease in the pH of caecal and colonic digesta was demonstrated for both bean starch preparations. In comparison with the diet with native pea starch, its microwaved preparation reduced the concentrations of acetic, butyric and propionic acids among caecal SCFA and increased the pH of caecal and colonic digesta. The atherogenic index was significantly lower in rats fed microwaved pea starch. All investigated starch preparations increased the population of Bifidobacterium spp. in caecal digesta, but were also good substrates for opportunistic Enterococcus or Escherichia coli.

Susceptibility of Eggs from Two Laboratory Colonies of Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to Novaluron

To estimate the toxicity of novaluron to eggs from two populations of Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck), we dipped eggs on waxed paper into a range of concentrations. Treated eggs were held on wheat germ diet, and mortality was assessed after 10 days. We compared the concentration-mortality relationships for eggs from parents reared on ‘Gala’ apples with those of eggs from parents reared on lima bean diet. We also compared the responses of a long-term laboratory colony of G. molesta from Rutgers University and a colony established from Calhoun County in southwestern Illinois. LC50's of novaluron ranged from 0.10 to 0.83 ppm and did not differ significantly based on parental diet. LC50's differed significantly between colonies; LC50's for the Calhoun colony were approximately 2.5 and 8 times greater than those for the Rutgers colony in bioassays that used eggs from parents reared on diet and apples, respectively. LC90's ranged from approximately 38 to 1000 ppm. For the Calhoun colony, the LC90 for novaluron applied to eggs from parents reared on apples was approximately 10 times greater than the LC90 for novaluron applied to eggs from parents reared on lima bean diet. For eggs from parents reared on apples, the LC90 for the Calhoun colony was approximately 9 times greater than the LC90 for the Rutgers colony. Differences in the colonies' responses may represent natural variation among populations or may be the result of selection by novaluron or other insecticides used in Calhoun County orchards before we collected larvae for our colony.

Dietary beans: a risk factor for cholesterol gallstones?

Journal Article Dietary Beans: a Risk Factor for Cholesterol Gallstones? Get access Nutrition Reviews, Volume 47, Issue 12, December 1989, Pages 369–371, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.1989.tb02775.x Published: 01 December 1989

Iron and Zinc Bioavailabilities to Pigs from Red and White Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Are Similar

Common beans contain relatively high concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) but are also high in polyphenols and phytates, factors that may inhibit Fe and Zn absorption. In vitro (Caco-2 cells) and in vivo (pigs) models were used to compare Fe and Zn bioavailabilities between red and white beans, which differ in polyphenol content. Bean/maize diets containing 37% of either white or red cooked beans were formulated. Fe uptake by Caco-2 cells was 14-fold higher from the white bean diet compared to the red bean diet. The diets were fed to anemic piglets (n = 10) for 35 days. On experiment days 7 and 21, pigs were given meals containing beans intrinsically labeled with stable isotopes of Fe and Zn ((58)Fe, (70)Zn), followed by intravenous (iv) injections of (54)Fe and (67)Zn, to assess Fe and Zn absorption. Isotope ratios determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in whole blood and plasma samples were used to calculate iron and zinc absorption, respectively. On day 35, animals were killed and duodenal sections were collected for DMT1 gene expression analysis. Fe absorption was 14 and 16% from the first labeled meal and 9 and 10.5% from the second labeled meal for the white and red beans, respectively (P > 0.05). Zn absorption was 28 and 23% from the first meal (P > 0.05) and 31 and 29% from the second meal (P > 0.05) for the white and red beans, respectively. DMT1 gene expression did not differ between treatments. It was concluded that bean color does not affect Fe or Zn bioavailability in vivo and that beans are a good source of bioavailable Fe and Zn.

Inflammation-Associated Serum and Colon Markers as Indicators of Dietary Attenuation of Colon Carcinogenesis in ob/ob Mice

Although inflammatory cytokines and obesity-associated serum proteins have been reported as biomarkers of colorectal adenoma risk in humans, little is known of biomarkers of response to interventions that attenuate tumorigenesis. Dietary navy beans and their fractions attenuate colon carcinogenesis in carcinogen-induced genetically obese mice. We hypothesized that this attenuation would be associated with changes in inflammatory cytokines and obesity-related serum proteins that may serve as measures of efficacy. ob/ob mice (n = 160) were injected with the carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) to induce colon cancer and randomly placed on one of four diets (control, whole navy bean, bean residue fraction, or bean extract fraction) for 26 to 28 wk. Serum was analyzed for 14 inflammation- or obesity-related proteins, and colon RNA was analyzed for expression of 84 inflammation-associated genes. Six of 14 serum proteins were increased [i.e., interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IFN gamma, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor] in hyperplastic/dysplastic stages of colon carcinogenesis. Bean-fed mice had significantly higher monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and lower IL-6 levels in serum. In colon mucosa, 55 of 84 inflammation-associated genes differed between AOM-induced and noninduced mice. Of the 55 AOM-induced genes, 5 were counteracted by bean diets, including IL-6 whose increase in expression levels was attenuated by bean diets in AOM-induced mice. In summary, IL-6 emerged as a serum protein that was increased in hyperplastic/dysplastic stages of colon carcinogenesis, but attenuated with bean-based diet in serum and colon mucosa. Changes in a subset of inflammation-associated serum proteins and colon gene expression may serve as response indicators of dietary attenuation of colon carcinogenesis.

Nutritional and biological qualities of the ripened beans of Canavalia maritima from the coastal sand dunes of India

Raw and pressure-cooked ripened beans of Canavalia maritima were assessed for nutritional quality. The beans possess high protein, carbohydrate, fiber and energy contents. Potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese of the raw and cooked beans meet NRC/NAS recommended pattern for infants. The essential amino acids (threonine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine/phenylalanine and lysine) in raw and cooked ripened beans fulfill the FAO/WHO/UNU recommended pattern for adults. Oleic acid in raw beans and linolenic acid in cooked beans were highest and linoleic and arachidonic acids were confined to raw beans. Cooking lowered the total phenolics, while tannins were negligible and devoid of orthodihydric phenols and trypsin inhibitors. Hemagglutinating activity decreased up to 50% in cooked beans. Rats fed with a pressure-cooked bean diet showed significant elevation of all growth and nitrogen balance parameters ( P < 0.05 ) than the rats which received the raw bean diet. The low protein quality of beans warrants appropriate thermal processing to eliminate antinutritional factors. To cite this article: B. Bhagya et al., C. R. Biologies 332 (2009).

The nutritional value of zero-tannin faba bean for grower-finisher pigs

The nutrient profile of zero-tannin faba bean and its effects on performance and carcass characteristics of grower-finisher pigs was investigated. In exp. 1, chemical characteristics were analyzed. Faba bean contained (as fed) 27.5% crude protein (CP), 1.75% lysine, 0.88% threonine, and 0.21% methionine. Twelve 55-kg barrows were fitted with an ileal cannula and fed twice daily at 3 x maintenance either a 96% faba bean diet or a 62% faba bean diet containing cornstarch to measure apparent total tract energy and ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility, respectively, and calculate standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA and net energy (NE) content. After a 6-d acclimation, faeces were collected for 2 d and ileal digesta for 2 d. Apparent total tract energy digestibility, and digestible energy and NE content were 88.5%, and 3.47 and 2.27 Mcal kg-1 (as fed), respectively. Apparent ileal digestibility was 85.9, 76.1, and 74.1%, and SID AA content was 1.54, 0.70, and 0.16% (as fed), for lysine, threonine, and methionine, respectively. In exp. 2, 100 grower pigs in 20 pens were fed either a soybean or faba bean-based diet regimenfrom 35 to 115 kg. Diets were formulated to equal NE and SID [Grower (35 to 60 kg), 2.40/3.95; Finisher 1 (60 to 90 kg), gilts 2.38/3.15, barrows 2.38/2.76; Finisher 2 (90 to 115 kg), gilts 2.38/2.92, barrows 2.35/2.55; Mcal kg-1 NE/g SID lysine Mcal-1 NE, respectively] using determined NE and SID values for faba bean. Pigs were weighed, feed intake was measured, and carcass measurements were obtained. From 35 to 115 kg, average daily feed intake (ADFI; 2.58 and 2.56 kg d-1, respectively) and gain (0.96 and 0.98 kg d-1) did not differ between faba bean and soybean meal. Feed efficiency was 0.02 higher for soybean meal than for faba bean in the Grower phase (P &lt; 0.05). At slaughter, back fat thickness did not differ; however, loin depth was 4.0 mm thicker for soybean meal than for faba bean (P &lt; 0.05). In summary, zero-tannin faba bean has an attractive nutrient profile and does not alter ADFI or average daily gain (ADG) of grower-finisher pigs at inclusion rates up to 30%.The reduced feed efficiency in the Grower phase and reduced lean thickness for pigs fed faba bean indicate that dietary AA supply might have been limiting for the faba bean diets early in the study. In conclusion, the zero-tannin faba bean is a worthwhile energy and protein feedstuff to consider in swine feed formulation. Key words: Digestibility, energy, faba bean, growth performance, nutritional value, pig

Dietary Cooked Navy Beans and Their Fractions Attenuate Colon Carcinogenesis in Azoxymethane-Induced Ob/Ob Mice

Based on the protective effects of cooked dry bean consumption in a human intervention study, we evaluated which fraction of cooked dry beans is responsible for its cancer-preventive effects. Cooked navy beans (whole beans), the insoluble fraction (bean residue) or soluble fraction of the 60% (vol:vol) ethanol extract of cooked navy beans (bean extract), or a modified AIN-93G diet (16.6% fat including 12.9% lard) as control diet were fed to 160 male obese ob/ob mice after 2 azoxymethane injections. In comparison to control-fed mice, dysplasia, adenomas, or adenocarcinomas were detected in fewer mice on either bean fraction diet (percent reduction from control: whole beans 54%, P = 0.10; bean residue 81%, P = 0.003; bean extract 91%, P = 0.007), and any type of colon lesions, including focal hyperplasia, were found in fewer mice on each of the 3 bean diets percent reduction from control: whole bean 56%, P = 0.04; bean residue 67%, P = 0.01; bean extract 87%, P = 0.0003. These results suggest that both the soluble and the insoluble fraction of the extract contribute to the cancer-protective effect of cooked navy beans.

Starch and energy digestibility in weaned pigs fed extruded zero-tannin faba bean starch and wheat as an energy source

Digestion of extruded starch is poorly characterized. Two diets containing wheat or faba bean starch were extruded individually or combined 50:50 (wt/wt) and fed to weaned pigs. Ileal starch digestion tended to be higher (P &lt; 0.10) for the extruded wheat diet than the extruded faba bean diets, while total tract digestibility of starch and energy was higher (P&lt; 0.05) for the two extruded faba bean starch diets than the extruded wheat diet. Feed intake tended to be higher (P &lt; 0.10) for extruded faba bean starch diet, but final body weight was not affected by extruded starch source. The in vivo kinetics of starch and energy digestion differed between extruded wheat and faba bean starch diets. Key words: digestibility, extrusion, faba bean, starch, weaned pig, wheat

Nutritional quality of storage proteins during germination of Indian bean (Dolichos lablab. var. lignosus) seeds

SummaryThe dry Indian bean seed composed of starch is the major component (33%) and protein accounted for 25% of dry weight. The ability of germination to increase the nutritional quality of storage proteins was studied by germinating the Indian bean seeds for 0, 8, 16, 24 and 32 h and evaluated the nutritional quality through an in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), protein efficiency ratio (PER), apparent and true digestibility. The IVPD of raw Indian bean seeds by pepsin alone was 60.12% and the digestibility by pepsin and trypsin together improved to 64.24%. The in vitro digestibility by both processes increased appreciably with germination and marked increase was noticed in the early stage of germination. The PER values followed the same pattern as the value of weight gain of rats fed with diets containing raw and germinated Indian bean. The lowest PER values were observed with raw bean diet. However, the value increased in rats fed with diets of Indian bean germinated for different intervals of time, reaching comparable PER values with the group maintained on casein diet. The true and apparent nitrogen digestibility of raw bean low being only 82 and 72%, respectively observed with casein diet. Diets with germinated bean protein showed a marked increase in both parameters, although the values were still less than that displayed by the casein fed rats. Germination is a simple biochemical enrichment tool and significantly improves palatability, digestibility and the nutritive utilisation of proteins in Indian bean seeds.

General Principles of Ethnomycological Classification among the Tzeltal Maya of Chiapas, Mexico

The Tzeltal Maya of Highland Chiapas, Mexico, regularly gather wild mushrooms as a supplement to the staple diet of corn and beans, especially during the rainy season months from June to December. Fieldwork over 18 months was conducted in the Tzeltal Maya communities of Oxchuc and Tenejapa with the goal of exploring ethnomycological knowledge in the Highland region. Thirty pile sort interviews supplement more than 200 semi-structured interviews concerning the names, uses and folk classification of mushrooms. This paper describes the ways in which the structure of the Tzeltal system of ethnomycological classification conform to the general principles of classification proposed by Berlin (1992).

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ETHNOMYCOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION AMONG THE TZELTAL MAYA OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO

ABSTRACT The Tzeltal Maya of Highland Chiapas, Mexico, regularly gather wild mushrooms as a supplement to the staple diet of corn and beans, especially during the rainy season months from June to December. Fieldwork over 18 months was conducted in the Tzeltal Maya communities of Oxchuc and Tenejapa with the goal of exploring ethnomycological knowledge in the Highland region. Thirty pile sort interviews supplement more than 200 semi-structured interviews concerning the names, uses and folk classification of mushrooms. This paper describes the ways in which the structure of the Tzeltal system of ethnomycological classification conform to the general principles of classification proposed by Berlin (1992).

Contaminant Classification of Poultry Hyperspectral Imagery using a Spectral Angle Mapper Algorithm

Since hyperspectral imaging technique has been demonstrated to be a potential tool for poultry safety inspection, particularly faecal contamination, a hyperspectral image classification method was developed for identifying the type and source of faecal contaminants. Spectral angle mapper (SAM) supervised classification method for hyperspectral poultry imagery was performed for classifying faecal and ingesta contaminants on the surface of broiler carcasses. Spatially averaged spectra of three different faeces from the duodenum, caecum, colons, and ingesta of maize/soya bean diet were used for classification data. The SAM classifier using reflectance of hyperspectral data with 512 narrow bands from 400 to 900 nm was able to classify three different faeces and ingesta on the surface of poultry carcasses. Based on the comparison with ground truth region of interest, both classification accuracy and kappa coefficient, which quantifies the agreement of classification, increased when spectral angle increased. The overall mean accuracy and corresponding mean kappa coefficient to classify faecal and ingesta contaminants were 90·13% (standard deviation of 5·40%) and 0·8841 (standard deviation of 0·0629) when a spectral angle of 0·3 radians was used as a threshold.

Faba bean (Vicia faba minor)and pea seeds (Pisum sativum) as protein sources in lactating ewes’ diets.

18 Massese lactating ewes, divided into 3 homogeneous groups for parity and milk yield, were used to evaluate the replacement effects of soybean meal by Faba bean (Vicia faba minor) and Pea (Pisum sativum) seeds. During a 70 days trial (beginning after weaning: 30±1.5 days after lambing) animals were fed three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. Each diet was characterised by the presence of only one protein feed. The diets consisted of alfalfa hay (1.1 kg/head/d) and a decreasing amount of mixed feed (from 1.1 to 0.7 kg/head/d) to fit animals’ requirements. Milk yield, milk chemical composition, animals live weight and BCS, health state and hematochemical parameters were regularly monitored. No diets palatability problems were detected. No significant differences resulted for live weight, BCS, milk yield and milk chemical composition, except for milk protein: higher for faba bean (6.54%) and soybean (6.39%) respect pea (5.66%) diets, P<0.05. No differences resulted for blood parameters too and no clinical signs of illness were observed. Therefore faba bean and pea seeds seem to be able to replace the soybean well.

A tepary bean diet and exercise delays indices of type 2 diabetes in female fa/fa rats

Legumes have been shown to protect against the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Previous work has focused on theimpact of legumes on the glycemic index with little attention given to other physiological changes. Considerable evidencealso demonstrates that exercise is beneficial for diabetic individuals. This study sought to determine the individual andsynergistic effects of a legume diet and exercise on indices of T2D and tested the hypothesis that the synergy of these factorswould protect against typical changes in glycemic hormones and lipids across the weight gain and insulin resistant stage ofdevelopment in genetically obese rats. Fatty Zucker (fa/fa) rats, 6-7 wks of age were assigned to one of four treatment groups(n = 10/group); 1) tepary bean diet and exercise [TE], 2) tepary bean diet [T], 3) control diet and exercise [CE], 4) controldiet [C]. A legume diet and exercise [TE] resulted in significantly less weight gain (126 g vs. 222 g in [C]) and lower bodymass compared to animals in other treatment groups. The interaction of [TE] also resulted in significantly lower seruminsulin compared to [C] animals across the study period. Diet [T] alone, significantly decreased serum triglycerides andcholesterol relative to [C] animals. Our results indicate that a tepary bean diet, with exercise, can decrease typical changes inweight gain, glycemia and lipid profile in fa/fa rats. The adoption of such a program in individuals showing signs of T2Dwould also likely serve to protect against these physiological changes. (Int J Diabetes Metab 15: 38-45, 2007)

Pinto beans are a source of highly bioavailable copper in rats.

The trace element copper (Cu) is a required nutrient in the diets of humans. It has been found in animal studies to be essential for efficient iron absorption and oxygen utilization and for aiding free-radical degradation. Dry beans (Phaseolis vulgaris) are potentially good sources of Cu; thus, the objective of this study was to determine the bioavailability of Cu from dry beans using the pinto bean as the source. Dry beans were obtained from a local market, cooked according to package directions, and dried. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 groups of 8 rats each) were fed a Cu-deficient diet (AIN-93G) for 4 wk followed by 2 wk of Cu repletion with diets containing 0-6.5 mg Cu/kg diet added as CuSO(4) or with 0.6 and 1.5 mg Cu/kg incorporated into rat diets as pinto beans at 10 and 20%. Standard response curves were developed based on repletion-induced recovery of 10 indices of Cu status, including organ Cu concentrations and Cu-dependent enzyme activities, in response to increasing dietary Cu as CuSO(4). Recovery of these variables in rats fed the pinto bean diets was compared with the standard response curve at similar levels of dietary Cu. Based on the recovery of all 10 variables, the relative bioavailability of Cu from dry beans was at least 100% of that with the highly available CuSO(4). For 3 of the variables, liver and heart Cu concentrations and serum superoxide dismutase 3 activity, estimated bioavailability values of Cu from beans were 138, 140, and 134%, respectively, of those from CuSO(4). We conclude that the dry pinto bean is a good source of dietary Cu with respect to both concentration and bioavailability.