title: Hydrolysis of raffinose and stachyose in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) flour, using α-galactosidase fromAspergillus niger.
abstract: Filamentous fungi, isolated from the enriched surface of garden soil, were screened for α-galactosidase production after growing on wheat-bran/carbohydrate substrate. One isolate,Aspergillus niger, had the highest enzyme activity (5.1×10(-2) units/mg protein) at pH 5.0 and 50°C. Treatment of cowpea flour with the crude enzyme reduced the raffinose and stachyose content by 95% and 82% respectively. This technique could therefore be useful in controlling the flatulence activity of cowpeas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Somiari
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balogh