title: 'Fagiolo a Formella', an Italian lima bean ecotype: biochemical and nutritional characterisation of dry and processed seeds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An ecotype of the lima bean, named 'fagiolo a Formella', which, to the best of our knowledge, is the only example of an Italian lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) ecotype, is cultivated in the Campania region of southern Italy. Physical, nutritional and processing traits of dry seeds were evaluated for two consecutive growing seasons (2009 and 2010). The canning quality was also investigated, but only for the harvest of 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total seed proteins allowed the attribution of 'fagiolo a Formella' to the Mesoamerican gene pool and Sieva morphotype. Seeds have a trapezoid shape, white coat and 100-seed weight greater than 42 g. Yield, protein, trypsin inhibitor and phytic acid values were found comparable with those reported for lima bean varieties cultivated in sub-tropical areas. Moreover, we found that this ecotype is devoid of lectin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The good adaptation to growing environment is indicated by the fact that 'fagiolo a Formella' seed quality is comparable to that of lima beans grown in America. Overall the canning quality was found satisfactory and canning significantly destroys the main anti-nutritional compounds present in dry seeds.
authors.affiliation: CNR-Istituto di Genetica Vegetale, Bari, Italy. angelarosa.piergiovanni@igv.cnr.it
authors.forename: Angela R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Piergiovanni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sparvoli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccardelli
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D060146:Ecotype; D063427:Food Quality; D057141:Food, Preserved / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009753:Nutritive Value; D027805:Phaseolus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D010833:Phytic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014361:Trypsin Inhibitors; D014867:Water; D010758:Phosphorus; D010833:Phytic Acid