title: Sensory and physicochemical analyses of roasted marama beans [Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) A. Schreiber] with specific focus on compounds that may contribute to bitterness.
abstract: The role of phenolics and saponins in contributing to bitterness in marama beans, an underutilized legume, especially when roasted, was investigated. Marama beans were roasted at 150°C for 20, 25 or 30 min, then dehulled to separate cotyledons, and pastes were prepared from these. Water extracts were prepared from full fat and defatted flours from roasted and unroasted marama cotyledons. A sensory panel evaluated the sensory attributes of marama pastes and water extracts. Marama water extracts were analysed for total phenolic content, phenolic composition and saponin content. Roasting of marama beans for more than 20 min resulted in negative properties, such as bitterness. The major extractable phenolic acids present in marama water extracts were gallic and protocatechuic acids which increased as a function of roasting time. Saponin content of the water extracts was in the range of 55-63 mg/l. The identified phenolic acids, saponins and other as yet unidentified compounds may contribute to the perceived bitterness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nyembwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minnaar
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kwaku G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Duodu
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa. Electronic address: riette.dekock@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Henriëtte L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: de Kock
mesh_terms: D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D012503:Saponins; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols; D012503:Saponins
keywords: Bitterness; Descriptive sensory evaluation; Marama bean water extracts; Phenolic compounds; Roasting; Saponins; Tylosema esculentum