Abstract The effects of applied nitrate on symbiotic nitrogen fixation in legumes are complex. Both inhibition and promotion of nodulation by nitrate have been observed in a dose‐dependent manner. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of nitrate at different concentrations on root nodulation in different genotypes in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Six genotypes were inoculated with the same rhizobial strain and grown hydroponically in growth pouches in a growth chamber and exposed to six nitrate concentrations, including 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mM for 4 weeks. The tested genotypes included three recombinant inbred lines (RILs, 25, 46, and 70) that differed in their responses to nitrogen (based on observations of one field growing season), their parents (Mist and Sanilac—registered varieties), which are different in N‐fixing abilities, and one nonnodulating mutant (R99). Our results showed that small amounts of nitrate (2.5 and 5 mM) promoted nodule formation and increased nodule biomass, compared with plants in the 0 nitrate control treatment. In contrast, nitrate concentrations over 10 mM inhibited nodulation, resulting in reductions in nodule number and nodule biomass. Nodulation was completely inhibited by 15‐mM nitrate in all the genotypes. Regression analyses indicated that 5‐mM nitrate is the optimum concentration for promoting nodulation as measured by the total number of nodules formed, the number of effective nodules formed, and the nodule biomass formed. In contrast, nitrogen fixation was inhibited by all levels of nitrate. No genotypic differences were observed in nodulation among the three RILs and their parental cultivars, but all were significantly different than R99, a nonnodulating mutant.

Abstract There is growing interest in pulses such as faba bean for the development of foods with enhanced nutrition, functionality, and health benefits. In this study, seed material from 10 faba bean varieties, grown in replicated field trials in South Australia over consecutive seasons (2016 and 2017), were analysed for ferric reducing antioxidant potential, total phenolics, and total monomeric anthocyanins. Differences in the macrochemical composition of varieties was investigated using attenuated total reflectance mid‐infrared spectroscopy. The mean ferric reducing antioxidant potential of the varieties ranged from 237 to 531 mg trolox equivalents 100 g−1; the total phenolics from 258 to 571 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g−1; and the total monomeric anthocyanins from 12.7 to 21.0 mg cyanidin‐3‐glucoside equivalents 100 g−1. Statistically significant variances in all three measures were found between varieties. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed mid‐infrared spectroscopy was found to provide a rapid assessment of the phytochemical composition of the samples. Partial least squares discriminant analysis was able to classify samples by growing year with reasonable accuracy (>87%). There is significant variation in the antioxidant, phenolic, and anthocyanin contents between Australian faba bean varieties. Mid‐infrared spectroscopy may prove to be a valuable screening tool for breeders and researchers in the future.

Abstract Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum) is a unique legume crop having many pharmacological properties and health benefits attributed to its high soluble dietary fiber and phytochemicals. The main objective of this study was to evaluate selected functional and physical (color and pasting) properties of debittered fenugreek flour (DFF) and its addition on the nutritional value and acceptance of wheat flour rusk, prepared with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% DFF. The antioxidant potential and sensory attributes of DFF‐added rusks were also analyzed. The results revealed that with successive increase of DFF level, the nutritional, mineral, dietary fiber, and bioactive contents of the rusks were significantly (p ≤ .05) enhanced. The progressive replacement at 0% to 20% level significantly (p ≤ .05) improved the total phenolic content (157.5 to 455.8 mg GAE per 100 g), total flavonoid content (5.5 to 8.2 mg CE per 100 g), and antioxidant activity (20.4% to 45.5%). DFF incorporation significantly (p ≤ .05) increased the water and oil absorption capacity, whereas peak viscosity, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, setback viscosity, and peak temperature were decreased. The color of rusks became darker, the loaf weight and hardness increased, whereas loaf volume and specific loaf volume values were decreased with DFF addition. Sensory attributes of rusks were slightly affected with DFF incorporation, and rusks with 15% DFF were found most desirable with significantly (p ≤ .05) enhanced nutritional, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics. The results of the present study demonstrated that incorporation of DFF at acceptable level could be achieved successfully for preparation of bakery product with enhanced nutritional and sensory quality.

Abstract The variations in physiochemical, rheological, morphological, and thermal properties of extracted starches of two chickpea varieties (PDG‐5 and BG‐1076) were evaluated. Both the varieties resulted in starch yields 28.2–31.2 g/100 g. Amylose content was 30.2–31.2%. Morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of starches of both the varieties of chickpea revealed the presence of oval, spherical shaped granules with smooth surfaced, with mean granular length of 2 to 30 μm and width of 3 to 10 μm. Rheological properties of extracted starches at selected concentration (1–5%) were evaluated in flow viscometry and dynamic oscillatory mode to assess flow properties in terms of shear stress, shear rate, apparent viscosity, elastic, and viscous modulus. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the presence of polysaccharides bands. X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that extracted starches are mixture of both A‐ and B‐type crystal. Thermal and pasting properties of chickpea starches were determined using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and rapid visco analyzer, respectively. Onset (T0), peak (Tp), end (Tc) temperature, enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH), peak height index, and gelatinization temperature range were measured by DSC. DSC thermograms revealed that T0, Tp, and Tc values of chickpeas were ranged from 65.6°C to 66.5°C, 69.6°C to 71.1°C, and 75.6°C to 76.2°C, respectively, whereas the corresponding enthalpy values varied between 14.8 and 15.6 J/g. The viscosity values at the peak, hold, final, breakdown, and setback viscosity for PDG‐5 variety were 2,562, 2,200, 3,646, 852, and 1,456 cP, respectively, and the corresponding values for BG 1076 were 4,848, 3,416, 6,384, 1,452, and 2,978 cP. It was observed that starches from BG‐1076 variety with low swelling power had higher solubility and pasting temperature.

Abstract The dietary consumption of legumes is associated with the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. There is a growing interest in faba bean (Vicia faba) to formulate functional products. Starch is the main component of faba bean (up to 45%), and its properties and reaction with other food components are mainly important for human nutrition, and the food industry as starch properties may greatly determine the product quality. This minireview summarizes the structural, morphological, and thermal characteristics and in vitro digestibility of faba bean starch to provide direction for new research.

Abstract In this study, it was aimed to analyze the impacts of replacement of 20% of wheat flour by lentil, chickpea, or bean flours on batter rheology as well as hardness, weight loss, sorption characteristics, and color of the wafer sheets. All formulations showed shear thinning behavior obeying power law. Lentil flour‐containing formula gave the highest flow behavior index and the lowest consistency coefficient value. Hardness of wafer sheets increased when legume flours were used. Increase in hardness value was less when chickpea flour was used as compared with the other legume flours. It was observed that upon baking, legume flour‐added samples had lower weight loss values. Usage of chickpea flour resulted in the lowest weight loss. Sorption results implied localized sorption indicating multilayer water molecules showing similar properties to liquid water. Wafers containing legume flours were not significantly different than the control wafer in terms of monolayer moisture content, K and C values of Gugenheim, Anderson and de Boer (GAB) model. The color of chickpea flour‐containing wafer was the closest to that of control sample. Overall, wafer sheets prepared by replacement of 20% wheat flour by chickpea flour was agreed to be the best in terms of the analyzed parameters.

Abstract The effect of adding fermented split yellow pea flour (SYPF) as a partial replacement for wheat flour in bread was examined. Three sourdough culture levels (3%, 6.5%, and 10%) and two fermentation times (1 and 4 hr) were evaluated. Total titratable acidity of ferment was measured to determine acid development. Bread was baked using three ferment inclusion levels (25%, 35%, and 45%) for each of the six treatment combinations. Nonfermented control bread was baked for each inclusion and culture level by adding the equivalent amount of SYPF and culture to the formulation. Bread was scored for quality and assessed for specific volume, crumb colour, C‐Cell properties, and flavour. Significant main effects were found for inclusion level, culture level, and fermentation time, and a significant Inclusion level × Fermentation time interaction was found for crumb firmness and cell diameter. Breads made with nonfermented SYPF and 10% culture had good flavour with only minor reductions in bread quality compared with a 100% wheat control bread. For the breads made with fermented SYPF, the ferment made with 10% culture fermented for 1 hr and added at an inclusion level of 25% had the most acceptable flavour and bread quality characteristics.