Cooking quality of faba bean after storage at high temperature and the role of lignins and other phenolics in bean hardening

Abstract Selected physical and chemical characteristics of faba beans ( Vicia faba L.) cv. Fiesta were studied after 12 months storage at 5, 15, 25, 37, 45 or 50 °C (±2 °C) in relation to the hard-to-cook phenomenon. In comparison with control (seeds stored at 5 °C), seeds stored at 15 and 25 °C demonstrated non-significant ( p ⩽0.05) changes in most of the physical and chemical characteristics including hydration and swelling coefficients, acid detergent fibre, lignin and tannin contents, whereas seeds stored at ⩾37 °C demonstrated significant changes ( p ⩽0.05). Solutes and electrolytes leaching after 18 h soaking substantially increased with increased temperature. Faba bean hardness tested by the hard-to-cook test also increased substantially with increased storage temperature. After 8 h soaking followed by 2 h cooking, the puncture force required for seeds stored at 5 °C was 3.3 N seed −1 whereas seeds stored at 50 °C required a much higher puncture force of 15.2 N seed −1 . There was a high negative correlation ( r 2 =0.98) between storage temperature and cooking ability of faba bean. Substantial increases in acid detergent fibre and lignin contents occurred with increased storage temperatures. There was a three-fold increase in lignin content of faba bean stored at 50 °C compared to those stored at 5 °C and it was correlated with bean hardness ( r 2 =0.98). Storage at high temperatures for 12 months led to a substantial reduction in total free phenolics especially in the testa and there was a greater reduction with increasing storage temperature. Reduction in free phenolics was negatively correlated ( r 2 =0.75) with bean hardness.