Faba Bean Hulls Research Articles

Use of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) hulls as substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus – Potential for combined mushroom and feed production

A circular concept involving use of faba bean hulls for production of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm.) and the post-harvest residues for feed purposes was evaluated. Faba bean hulls are a waste remaining after the beans are dehulled to decrease the content of anti-nutritional factors and increase the food value of the beans. Faba bean hulls proved very suitable as substrate for production of oyster mushrooms, with biological efficiency of 109 ± 28%. The fruiting bodies produced were comparable to commercially sold mushrooms in terms of morphology, protein content, protein quality, and chemical composition. After mushroom harvest, 48.4 ± 0.6% of initial dry weight (dwt) of the substrate remained and showed significant changes in proximate composition, with an increase in protein concentration from 207.9 ± 8.6 to 346.6 ± 16.5 g kg−1 dwt and a significant increase in 14 of 16 amino acids analyzed, including methionine. Concentrations of the anti-nutritional compounds vicine and convicine were below the detection limit after mushroom harvest, while their initial concentration was 5.7 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.04 g kg−1 dwt, respectively. Tannin concentration was reduced by approximately 50%, to a final level of 9.0 ± 1.6 g kg−1 dwt. Comparison of the spent mushroom substrate with a commonly used feedstuff for pigs indicated potential for the spent substrate to be a valuable protein source in pig diets. This study demonstrates the potential for achieving complete circular use of agro waste and has implications for development of production systems well suited in the biobased society.

Combustion of Agricultural Wastes/Coal in Circulating Fluidized Bed

This paper presents an experimental investigation on circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustion of one of agricultural wastes (faba bean hulls) and co-combustion faba bean hulls and Egyptian (Sinai) coal. The test rig is a pilot scale CFB combustor of 145 mm inner diameter, 2 m tall and 100 kW thermal capacity. The influences of excess air, degree of air staging, bean hull particle size and coal share were studied. Temperature, heat flux, CO, NOx and SO2 concentrations along the reactor height and flue gas out from cyclone were measured. The combustion efficiency was calculated based on CO emission and unburned char in flue gas. The results showed that size reduction of bean hulls results in lower CO and NOx emissions. The induction of secondary air has a negative effect on combustion efficiency. The highest efficiency recorded for bean hulls combustion was 98.5% at excess air ratio (EA) =1.09 without secondary air. Co-combustion of Sinai coal and bean hulls reduced CO and NOx emissions but increased SO2 emissions. The results suggest that bean hulls are potential fuel that can be utilized for efficient and clean energy production by using CFB combustion system especially at co-combustion.

From by-Product to Unconventional Vegetable: Preliminary Evaluation of Fresh Fava Hulls Highlights Richness in L-Dopa and Low Content of Anti-Nutritional Factor

Faba bean hulls are a by-product, generated from the processing of beans and usually disposed of as waste, utilized in some recipes of Italian traditional cuisine. In this research, a quality evaluation of faba hulls in six genotypes (four local varieties—‘Cegliese’, ‘Iambola’, ‘San Francesco’ and ‘FV5′—and two commercial ones—‘Aguadulce supersimonia’ and ‘Extra-early purple’) of faba bean (Vicia faba L. var. major Harz) for fresh consumption grown with two plant densities (4.16 and 2.08 plants m−2) was carried out. For all the measured parameters, the statistical analysis reveals that the interaction between plant density and genotype was not significant. On the other hand, independently of the genotype, the higher the plant’s density the higher was the pods’ yield per unit area, while the average percentage of hulls was of 75% with little differences between genotypes. All genotypes showed a low content of vicine (12.4 mg 100 g−1 FW), a well know favism-inducing factor, and a very high phenols content (between 443 and 646 mg 100 g−1 FW) and levo-dihydroxy phenylalanine (L-dopa—on average 170 mg 100 g−1 FW), used for the treatment of patients affected by Parkinson’s disease. In conclusion, this study highlights the good potential of faba hulls as unconventional vegetable, suggesting its use as a new functional food in the daily diet and also for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Utilization of lentil, pea, and faba bean hulls in Turkish noodle production.

Turkish noodles (erişte) were substituted with green lentil (Lens culinaris), red lentil (L. culinaris), faba bean (Vicia faba), and pea (Pisum sativum) hulls at the level of 2.5, 5, and 10% and the effects of the substitution on proximate composition, mineral composition, colour, cooking properties, thiamine and riboflavin contents, texture and sensory properties of the noodles were investigated. Crude ash, dietary fibre, Ca and Mg contents of the noodles significantly increased with pulse hull substitution regardless of the hull type compared to control. Lightness or brightness (L*) values of the noodles showed a general decreasing trend with increasing pulse hull substitution excluding pea hull. L* value of the pea hull substituted noodles was higher than that of the control. Water absorption and swelling volume of the noodles remarkably increased with pea hull substitution. Thiamine and riboflavin contents of the control noodles and the noodles substituted with the noted hull types up to 10% were very close to each other. Noodles substituted with faba bean hull at the level of 10% showed the highest hardness, gumminess, and chewiness values. Pea hull substitution up to 10% did not significantly affected the sensory (appearance, texture and overall acceptability) scores of the panellists.

Utilization of Faba Bean Hulls (Seeds Coat )as a Source to Produce Antioxidants

The current research investigates the opportunity of using Faba bean hulls (seeds coat) for producing some bioactive compounds such as natural antioxidants using several solvents, and to investigate the stability of edible oil with phenolic extract against oxidative rancidity compared with other containing (BHA) during heat at 180°C for one day. The results show that ethanol gave the highest yield extract and polyphenol content. Then it yields methanol, chloroform and water. The HPLC analysis is executed. It provides the total polyphenols extracted from faba bean. Thehulls were indicated to the existence of high Pyrogallol, e-Vanillic, Ellagic and Catechin percentages. Also, the results showed that oils which treated by the extract at varied concentrations have PV and TBA values lower than control.

The effect of ultrasound on some properties of pulse hulls.

The aim of this study was to understand the effects of different ultrasound conditions on dietary fiber, phytic acid, total phenolics content, water and oil binding capacity, antioxidant capacity and phenolic acid composition of hull from green and red lentils (Lens culinaris), faba bean (Vicia faba), and pea (Pisum sativum). The highest and the lowest total dietary fiber content was observed in red lentil and faba bean hulls, respectively. Insoluble dietary fiber contents of the untreated pulse hulls were above 66% regardless of the pulse type. Phytic acid content of the pulse hulls ranged between 1.37 and 1.66mg/g and was not affected from either the pulse type or ultrasound treatment. High and significant correlations were found between total phenolics content and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity both of which showed higher values for lentil hulls. Bound (hydrolyzable) extracts contained higher amounts of phenolic acids compared to free form extracts. Protocathechuic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids either in free or bound (hydrolyzable) form were present in hull from all the pulses. Ultrasound treated samples showed significantly lower total phenolic content and TEAC values compared to control for lentil hulls, while no consistent trend was observed for phenolic acids with regard to the ultrasound conditions.

Reproductive performance in ewes fed varying levels of cut lucerne pasture around conception

Elevated intakes of protein and energy may increase embryo mortality, but it is not clear whether fresh lucerne (Medicago sativa) pasture poses a risk. A two-year pen study using oestrous synchronised and artificially inseminated Merino ewes (n=175 in 2013 and 215 in 2014) evaluated whether feeding freshly cut lucerne pasture (mean crude protein 19.7%, metabolisable energy 9.4MJ/kg DM) at maintenance or ad libitum during different periods around insemination altered reproductive performance in comparison with ewes fed a Control diet (mean crude protein 7.8%, metabolisable energy 9.0MJ/kg DM) of pelleted faba bean hulls and oat grain hulls at maintenance. The proportion of pregnant ewes carrying multiple fetuses was reduced (P=0.026) when ewes were fed lucerne ad libitum between days 0 and 17 after insemination compared with the Control diet (0.18 and 0.34, respectively), but not when ewes were fed lucerne ad libitum between days 0 and 7 after insemination (0.22). Reproductive performance, including the proportion of ewes pregnant and the proportion with multiple fetuses, was not different (P>0.05) when ewes were fed lucerne at maintenance between days 0 and 7 compared with the Control diet. While reproductive performance was similar when ewes were fed lucerne at maintenance between 0 and 17 days after artificial insemination compared with pellets at maintenance, fetal numbers per pregnant ewe were reduced by feeding lucerne ad libitum after insemination.

Faba bean hulls as a potential source of pectin.

This study aimed for the first time to assess the potential use of faba bean hulls as a source of pectin. The study involved extracting pectin under various conditions of pH, temperature and extraction time and determining how these conditions affected pectin yield and its characteristics. The maximum yield of extracted pectin did not coincide with the highest degree of esterification since the maximum yield (15.75%) was recorded at pH1.5 and at a temperature of 85°C for an 80-min extraction period and solid to liquid (1: 25) ratio, while the highest degree of esterification (54.62%) occurred at pH2.5 and at temperature of 90°C for a 60-min extraction period. The composition of the pectin varied according to the extraction conditions: the neutral sugars galactose, arabinose and rhamnose increased under milder extraction conditions while glucose, mannose and xylose sugars predominated under harsher extraction conditions. The results indicated that faba bean hulls contains adequate amount of pectin, suitable for commercial utilization.

Effects of faba bean and faba bean hulls on expression of selected genes in the small intestine of piglets

In a small intestinal segment perfusion (SISP) study in pigs, effects were studied of intestinal perfusion of ground faba beans (Vicia faba), faba bean hulls, or saline on intestinal net fluid absorption in intestinal segments either challenged or not with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). After an 8-h perfusion, piglets were euthanized and small intestinal mucosa samples were collected for analysis of expression level of a selected set of genes (APOC3, TIMP1, AQP8, MMP1, MUC13, and PAP) using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Perfusion with ground faba beans and faba bean hulls and challenge with ETEC affected (P < 0.05) expression of several of genes in the intestinal mucosa. Expression of APOC3, TIMP1, AQP8, MMP1, and PAP was correlated with net fluid absorption in the small intestine of pigs.

In vitro inhibition of ETEC K88 adhesion by pea hulls and of LT enterotoxin binding by faba bean hulls.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing K88 (F4) adhesins are associated with post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets. Different grain fractions from pea (Pisum sativum) and faba bean (Vicia faba) were tested in vitro for their capacity to counteract aetiological factors, which contribute to the development of diarrhoea. In detail, adhesion of E.coli O149:K91:K88ac (ETEC K88ac) to grain legume products, intended to impair the colonization of the host, was studied as well as interference with receptor binding of the pathogen's heat-labile enterotoxin LT, intended to reduce toxin-inflicted gut cell damage. When comparing different pea and faba bean products tested for their binding capacity of ETEC K88ac, especially pea hulls, but also whole pea meal, starch-enriched and protein-enriched pea meal, and digestion-resistant pea hull and meal fractions showed a higher binding of ETEC K88ac than faba bean products. In contrast to the ETEC K88ac adhesion results, bean hulls proved more effective than pea hulls in preventing GM1 receptor binding of LT. Previous small intestinal segment perfusion experiments we performed with ETEC K88ac-challenged piglets indicated that both pea and bean hulls have the potential for successful application in diarrhoea prophylaxis and treatment, which is in agreement with and refined by our detection of their different modes of functioning.

Effect of pea, pea hulls, faba beans and faba bean hulls on the ileal microbial composition in weaned piglets

Grain legumes produced in Europe such as pea, faba beans and lupins are alternative vegetable protein sources for imported soy protein in animal feeds. These legume seeds contain constituents that are not digested and may act as a substrate for microbial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby modulating the microbial population and affecting the microbial diversity. In this study the effect was evaluated of inclusion of pea and faba beans and their hull fractions in diets for piglets on the intestinal microbial population at the ileal level. A total of 72 piglets weaned at 28 days of age were fed a control diet based on soybean meal or diets with pea (250 g/kg), pea hulls (100 g/kg), faba beans (250 g/kg) or faba bean hulls (100 g/kg). All piglets were challenged orally with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) 7 days after weaning, except for half of the piglets fed the soybean meal diet that were inoculated with phosphate buffered saline. The piglets were sacrificed 21 days after weaning and ileal digesta samples were collected and analysed with a terminal restriction fraction length polymorphism based method of Microbial Community Profiling and Characterization. From 10 days after the challenge, there was no faecal excretion of ETEC in any of the piglets. There was a distinct different microbial profile in the piglets fed the diet with faba beans or faba bean hulls, showing a lower number of terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs) compared to the other treatments. Such an alteration in the ileal microflora composition by the use of different legume seeds or their hull fractions suggests a potential for the manipulation of intestinal microbial activity and thus in preventing or provoking intestinal disorders in piglets.

Effect of pea and faba bean fractions on net fluid absorption in ETEC-infected small intestinal segments of weaned piglets

After weaning piglets frequently have diarrhoea associated with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection. Alternative plant protein sources such as peas, faba beans and lupins may contribute in preventing gastrointestinal problems. In the small intestinal segment perfusion model, the anti-diarrhoea effect of pea and faba bean fractions on net absorption of fluid was investigated. Segments with a cranial inflow tube and a caudal outflow tube were fitted in the small intestine of 5-week old anaesthetized piglets. The odd numbered segments were infused with ETEC and the even segments with PBS, whereupon the segments were perfused over 8 h. Pea meal, pea hulls, protein-enriched pea meal and starch-enriched pea meal were perfused in 4 piglets in 4 pairs of segments (an uninfected and an adjacent ETEC-infected) with saline as a control in another pair of segments. Faba bean meal, faba bean hulls, protein-enriched faba bean meal and starch-enriched faba bean meal were perfused in another 4 piglets. Net fluid absorption was calculated from the difference between the volumes of inflow and outflow divided by the surface area. ETEC induced loss of net intestinal fluid absorption was shown to be decreased in the segments perfused with pea hulls and faba bean hulls, while there was no effect of the other pea or faba bean products. Although hulls of pea and faba bean did not completely eliminate the decreased fluid absorption after ETEC challenge, these results indicate that hulls of pea and faba bean may promote net fluid absorption in piglets during post weaning diarrhoea.

Effects of Phytases and Dehulling Treatments on In Vitro Iron and Zinc Bioavailability in Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Flour and Legume Fractions

In vitro digestions were performed on faba bean flours with decreased phytate contents and on 2 dephytinized or nondephytinized faba bean fractions, a dehulled faba bean fraction, and a hull fraction with low and high fiber and tannin contents, respectively. In vitro bioavailability iron and zinc was defined as the relative amount of iron and zinc that became soluble after enzymatic treatment. Faba bean samples were sequentially digested with enzymes, including amylase, pepsin, pancreatin, and bile, under certain conditions following the enzymatic degradation procedure. Iron and zinc in vitro bioavailability of whole faba bean flours were significantly improved by phytate degradation, even if the phytate were not all degraded. Total dephytinization of dehulled faba bean led to an obvious increase in iron and zinc in vitro bioavailability, but that of hulls had no effect on either iron or zinc in vitro bioavailability. Fibers and tannins other than phytate are more important in chelating a high proportion of iron and zinc in faba bean hulls.

Dietary effects of faba-bean (Vicia fabaL.) tannins on the morphology and function of the small-intestinal mucosa of weaned pigs

The objective of the present study was to evaluate effects of condensed tannins in faba beans (Vicia faba L.) on morphological and functional variables of the small-intestinal mucosa of piglets. In an experiment with young piglets (8-17 kg body weight), fed on either a control diet or a diet containing 200 g/kg of low- or high-tannin faba bean hulls (with < 0.10 and 3.3% catechin equivalents of condensed tannins respectively), morphological and functional characteristics of the jejunal mucosa were determined. Results of the study showed that the morphological variables of the mucosa of the three groups of piglets were similar. Also, no changes due to dietary tannins were observed in sucrase (EC3.2.1.48)-isomaltase (EC 3.2.1.10) activity in homogenates of mucosa plus submucosa. However, aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.2) activity in these homogenates in the proximal part of the small intestine of the animals of the group fed on the high-tannin diet was significantly lower than that in the animals fed on the control diet or the diet with low-tannin hulls (P < 0.05).

Production of Proline-Rich Proteins by the Parotid Glands of Rats Is Enhanced by Feeding Diets Containing Tannins from Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.)

Feeding a casein-based diet with either 400 g/kg of tannin-containing faba bean hulls (Vicia faba L.) (1.41% condensed tannins) or 60 g/kg of a tannin-rich hull extract of faba beans (1.99% condensed tannins) to rats over a period of 7 d resulted in a 2.6 and 1.5 fold increase in weight of the parotid glands, respectively, (P < 0.05) and a corresponding 5.5 and 3.7 fold increase in the level of proline-rich proteins in the glands (P < 0.05). In a dose-response experiment, increasing the level of tannin-rich hull extract in the diet (0.0, 3.8, 7.5, 15.0, 30.0 and 60.0 g/kg) resulted in a linear increase in both the relative size of parotid glands (R2 = 0.90; P < 0.05) and the quantity of proline-rich proteins in the glands (R2 = 0.89; P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of total (R2 = 0.97) and individual amino acids (R2 varied from 0.27 to 0.99) decreased linearly (P < 0.05). The quantity of proline-rich proteins in the cecum of rats was estimated from the decrease in digestibility of proline, glycine and glutamic acid. The estimated secretions of proline-rich proteins, when calculated on the basis of the three respective amino acids, were 3.5, 3.5 and 3.9 mg of proline-rich proteins per 10 mg of additional hull extract (21.8% condensed tannins). The results indicate that tannins from faba beans stimulate the parotid glands to increase the secretion of proline-rich proteins in rats. The proline-rich proteins then interact with dietary condensed tannins to reduce their antinutritional effects.

Retention of Fe, Zn and Cu by rats fed diets containing variously processed faba bean hulls

Retention of Fe, Zn and Cu by rats fed diets containing variously processed faba bean hulls

Effect of condensed tannins in hulls of faba beans (Vicia fabaL.) on the activities of trypsin (EC2.4.21.4) and chymotrypsin (EC2.4.21.1) in digesta collected from the small intestine of pigs

The effects of condensed tannins in hulls of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) on the activities of trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) and chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) in digesta obtained from the small intestine of pigs were studied. Using four castrated male pigs (mean body weight 83 kg) fitted with both a simple T-cannula in the duodenum and a post-valvular T-cannula at the terminal ileum, two experimental diets were tested in a Latin square design. The low-tannin diet (LT) contained 200 g faba bean hulls (cv. Blandine)/kg with a low content of condensed tannins (< 0.1% catechin equivalents). The high-tannin diet (HT) contained 200 g faba bean hulls (cv. Alfred)/kg with a content of condensed tannins of 3.5% catechin equivalents. Spot samples of fresh duodenal digesta were taken daily at fifteen time points between 08.00 and 20.00 hours on four consecutive days. Ileal digesta were collected nearly quantitatively on the same days between 08.00 and 20.00 hours over periods of 2 h. Trypsin and chymotrypsin activities in duodenal digesta did not differ between treatments at any time point (P > 0.05). In ileal digesta of pigs given diet HT the mean activity of trypsin was reduced (P < 0.05). The activity of chymotrypsin in ileal digesta did not differ between treatments. Trypsin activity:chymotrypsin activity was somewhat lower in ileal digesta of pigs receiving the HT diet (P < 0.10). The apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein (N x 6.25) was lower for the HT than for the LT diet (0.614 v. 0.728; P < 0.05). Condensed tannins are probably responsible for the lower activity of trypsin in ileal digesta of pigs fed on high-tannin faba bean hulls. Various explanations for the absence of effects of condensed tannins on enzyme activity in duodenal digesta are discussed.

Tannins in faba bean seeds: effects on the digestion of protein and amino acids in growing chicks

Tannins from faba bean hulls were extracted with 70% aqueous acetone; after filtration and removal of some contaminants, the clear solution was lyophilized. The protein precipitation capacity of faba bean tannins was measured by the precipitation assay; the relationship between BSA precipitated ( y, mg) and condensed tannins ( x, mg) was: y = 0.367 + 1.538 x. Experimental diets based on 67.5% dehulled faba beans without or with supplemental freeze-dried tannin extract (0, 8, 16 and 24 g kg −1 diet) were given to 25-day-old chicks for 3 days, after which the chicks were killed and the digesta from the ileum collected. The addition of tannins to the basal diet significantly ( P < 0.01) reduced the protein digestibility from 88.8 to 80.8% and there was a high correlation between the level of tannins in the diet and digestibility values. Amino acid digestibility followed the pattern shown by the crude protein and the mean differences among treatments were in the range of 5.4–12.6%.

Effect of tannins from faba beans ( Vicia faba) on the digestion of starch by growing chicks

Tannins from faba bean hulls were extracted with 70% aqueous acetone and the resulting solution lyophilized. Experimental diets based on dehulled faba beans with or without supplemental tannin dried extract (8, 16 and 24 g kg −1) were given to 25-day-old chicks for a period of 3 days. The addition of the extract to the basal diet reduced significantly ( P < 0.01) chick weight, feed intake and feed efficiency and there was a significant correlation ( P < 0.01) between the level of tannins in the diet and chick performance parameters. The starch digestibility of faba beans was not significantly affected by the concentration of tannins in the diet.

The possible role of methionine in the detoxification of faba bean (Vicia fabaL.) tannins in chick diets

Abstract 1. A metabolism trial was designed to investigate the role of methionine as a specific detoxifying agent of the condensed tannins present in faba beans (Vicia faba L.). 2. A 5 x 5 factorial approach was employed where 5 concentrations of dietary methionine were obtained (ranging from 3.9 to 12.15 g/kg diet dry matter) by the addition of DL‐methionine, and 5 concentrations of condensed tannins (ranging from 0.5 to 19.7 g/kg diet dry matter) by altering the ratio of tannin‐free and tannin‐containing faba bean hulls added to a basal diet. 3. The intake of condensed tannins had a significant, depressive effect on apparent available nitrogen (P 0.05). Thus the depressive effect of tannin was independent of methionine levels in the diet. 4. Methionine does not act as a specific detoxifier of faba bean condensed tannins.